Nebraska Gov. Pillen warns progressive ballot initiative could open the door to late term abortions

Progressive activists in Nebraska are fighting to get abortion on the next statewide ballot, which GOP Gov. Jim Pillen warned could lead to late-term abortions. 

In May, the Nebraska legislature passed a law that brought abortion access down from 20 weeks to 12 weeks.

The Protect Our Rights coalition has launched a campaign to enshrine abortion access into the Nebraska Constitution.

“Every single Nebraskan of voting age will have the opportunity to vote for themselves to protect our rights,” said Andi Curry Grubb, the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska in an interview with local media. “I have no doubt that we will succeed in this effort.” 

Pillen made a statement regarding the initiative on Friday. 

“This flawed initiative would radically expand abortion in Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of thousands of babies in mothers’ wombs," he wrote in the statement. "Its vague and deceptive language could throw open the doors to brutal late-term abortions, putting abortion providers in charge of judging whether, for example, a 39-week-old pre-born baby can be aborted. That is totally out of step with the pro-life principles of the overwhelming majority of Nebraskans."

He added that most of the state is fine with the 12 week ban put in place by the state, which includes exceptions such as incest, rape and the life of the mother.