A Nebraska Democrat has threatened to filibuster every bill in the state legislature until Republican leaders withdraw a pro-life bill that would protect unborn babies from abortion once their heartbeat is detectable.
The Hill reports state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, D-Omaha, made the threat Thursday while admitting that she wants to “annoy” pro-life lawmakers.
“I want to annoy you,” Cavanaugh said. “I want you to genuinely be frustrated to all get out with me.”
One of the two bills that she opposes, the Nebraska Heartbeat Act (LB 626), would require the abortionist to check for the unborn baby’s heartbeat and prohibit the abortion if the baby’s heartbeat is detected, which typically happens by six weeks of pregnancy. Exceptions would be allowed for rape, incest and medical emergencies.
Currently, aborting an unborn baby is legal for any reason up to 20 weeks. Last year, the unicameral state legislature narrowly failed to pass similar legislation because pro-abortion Democrats filibustered. Legislation needs a two-thirds majority of lawmakers’ support to overcome a filibuster.
On Thursday, Cavanaugh vowed to do so again, telling her fellow lawmakers, “You cannot stop me,” according to the report. She also opposes legislation to prohibit transgender hormones and surgeries on underage children.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Nebraska state lawmakers.
“If this legislature collectively decides that legislating hate against children is our priority, then I am going to make it painful; painful for everyone,” she said at the state capitol. “Because if you want to inflict pain upon our children, I am going to inflict pain upon this body.”
“I have nothing, nothing but time, and I am going to use all of it,” she added.
Pro-life legislation protects children, and it has a better chance of passing this year in Nebraska. According to Fox 22 WFVX, even abortion activists “have acknowledged that the alliance behind last year’s filibuster may not hold now that the [heartbeat law] includes exceptions for rape and incest.”
Earlier this year, Sandy Danek, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said Nebraskans want unborn babies to be protected from abortion. She told a legislative committee about a recent poll from SBA Pro-Life America that found 58 percent of Nebraska voters support the heartbeat bill, according to the Unicameral Update.
“… people want preborn life to be protected,” Danek said. “Advancing policies like the Nebraska Heartbeat Act is consistent with Nebraska values.”
The legislation also has the support of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, doctors and Gov. Jim Pillen, a pro-life Republican.
Because the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, 14 states now are enforcing pro-life laws that prohibit or strictly limit the killing of unborn babies in abortions, and others are fighting in court to do the same. Pro-life leaders estimate tens of thousands of babies’ lives already have been saved.
Polls consistently show a strong majority of Americans support legal protections for unborn babies, especially after the first trimester or once their heartbeat is detectable.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Nebraska state lawmakers.
