Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen voiced his support for a bill, signed on Monday afternoon, that imposes restrictions on abortion and child gender transitions.
The legislation, passed by Nebraska’s legislature on Friday, prohibits abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy and bans surgeries related to genital and nongenital mutilation on children.
The bill also grants authority to the state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, to establish limitations on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
Governor Pillen referred to child gender transitions as “Lucifer at its finest” during the signing ceremony and emphasized the importance of affording all children the opportunity to grow and live fulfilling lives. The abortion ban takes immediate effect upon Pillen’s signature, while the ban on transgender procedures is set to become effective on October 1.
Exceptions to the abortion ban include cases of rape, incest, and situations where the mother’s life is at risk. Governor Pillen underscored the significance of conservative leadership and hailed the legislation as the “most significant win” for a socially conservative agenda in a generation in Nebraska. He urged citizens to actively participate in creating a culture that values life and love.
State Senator Joni Albrecht, the primary sponsor of the bill, expressed her anticipation for a future where every child is protected from elective abortions in Nebraska. Nebraska now joins a growing list of states that have enacted abortion restrictions following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Governor Pillen and state lawmakers acknowledged the ongoing work required in this area and encouraged citizens to contribute towards making abortion unthinkable in Nebraska. Other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, have also taken recent actions to restrict abortion.
