Nebraska lawmakers to debate abortion restrictions
LINCOLN, Neb. | Nebraska lawmakers are set to debate a first-of-its-kind bill that would change the current foundation of abortion restrictions.The bill (LB1103) scheduled to be debated on Tuesday would bar women from getting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, based on the assertion that fetuses feel pain by then.The current criteria is fetus viability — the ability to survive outside the womb. While determined on a case-by-case basis, viability is generally attained at 22 to 24 weeks.The bill would make it tougher for women to get second trimester or late-term abortions by requiring them to be near death or at risk of irreversible physical harm.Being the staunch liberal feminist I am, I completely disagree with the statement that the fetus feels pain. I hate the exclusion clause lawmakers always put in laws like this. Denying women an abortion if they aren’t “near death or at risk of irreversible physical harm” always leaves room for interpretation - and usually not in the woman’s favor.
