Uncertainties ahead for abortion issue in Nebraska Legislature

LINCOLN — Forces on both sides of the abortion issue are girding for a likely special session of the Nebraska Legislature later this summer if, as expected, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade.

But many uncertainties lie ahead, including whether a special session will even be called if the high court removes the legal right to abortion.

If a special session is called, it’s expected to happen in late August or early September, after a staunch, pro-life supporter, State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, returns from a humanitarian trip to Ukraine.

Here are some key questions moving forward:

Are there enough votes in the Legislature to pass a ban on abortion?

Because it’s a controversial issue guaranteed to inspire a filibuster, it will take 33 votes in the 49-member Legislature to pass an abortion ban.

State lawmakers fell two votes short of that mark when debating a so-called “trigger” bill — which would have banned abortion if the Supreme Court struck down Roe — during the regular session, which ended last month. It’s unclear whether two more votes have materialized since then.

Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/21/uncertainties-ahead-for-abortion-issue-in-nebraska-legislature/