More on Nebraska "Fetal Pain" Abortion Ban Hearing

At the hearing yesterday, the proponents of Nebraska's bill to ban abortions starting at 20 weeks of pregnancy were asked about the lack of a mental health exception.  In response to questions about a woman who is suicidal, they suggested she be treated with electroconvulsive therapy and be confined and restrained for the duration of her pregnancy, rather than be allowed access to abortion.  While the hearing on LB 1103 was in progress, a committee in a nearby hearing room debated a prenatal care bill. Supposedly "pro-life" Governor Heineman has expressed his opposition to this legislation "because it would provide taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants."  Fetuses of "illegal immigrants" with wanted pregnancies don't count as "unborn babies" that deserve protection?

JournalStar.com: Legal scholars, pain experts debate abortion bill, by JoAnne Young:

 

A committee of the Nebraska Legislature heard from experts on constitutional law and pain management Thursday as it sifted through the question of whether the state should ban abortions as early as the 20th week of pregnancy.

Supporters and opponents of the bill (LB1103) introduced by Speaker Mike Flood filled the hearing room. For the first time, those attending had to pass through a metal detector at the door. . . .

ABC News: Proposed Abortion Bill Focused on When Fetus Feels Pain, by Emily Ingram:

 Nebraska legislators are proposing a bill on abortion that, if passed, would be the strictest in the nation and would ban most abortions after 20 weeks into a pregnancy.

The first public hearing on the so-called Abortion Pain Prevention Act today drew a crowd of 100, and medical and legal experts from as far away as New York City, Alaska and Boston.