This is not a drill. Nebraska state senators are trying to pass extreme total abortion bans that would end our freedom to make the decisions that are best for our health, lives and futures. With our freedom and futures on the line, we need your advocacy. Join us in testifying on Thursday, Feb. 24 before the Judiciary Committee. Be at the Nebraska State Capitol's rotunda at 12:30 P.M. Hearings start at 1:30 P.M.
Why Testify
We know it's intimidating, but testifying is one of the most impactful things you can do to help keep abortion safe and legal in Nebraska. In-person testimony can help persuade state senators to take the right vote. It can also impact media coverage. In this case, strong attendance can help show that there is strong support for keeping abortion safe and legal in Nebraska. Emboldened anti-abortion groups are rallying Nebraskans to lobby their senators. We must ensure we are present because this hearing will play a role in determining the fate of abortion access in our state.
What to Expect
Show up at the rotunda at 12:30 P.M. to get talking points, swag and encouragement from leaders in the fight. The hearings start at 1:30 P.M. in room 1113. Staff from local advocacy organizations, including the ACLU of Nebraska, will be at the rotunda to help you find the room and answer any questions you have about testifying.
The Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on three bills that seek to push abortion care out of reach. These hearings may be condensed, meaning testifiers might be asked to testify about multiple bills at the same time.
- LB933 is a so-called trigger ban. It would ban abortion entirely in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
- LB781 would ban abortion at about six weeks, before many Nebraskans even know they’re pregnant.
- LB1086 adds new restrictions to medication abortion, a safe, effective and FDA-approved method of care.
Testimony will start with the bill's introducer, then typically it is followed by proponents, opponents and neutral testifiers. Make sure you sign in. Prepare for 3-5 minutes of testimony and if you bring handouts, bring at least 12 copies. When it's your turn to speak, state and spell your name for the record and then make your remarks. Although state senators can ask questions of community testifiers, they generally hold those questions for content area experts like medical professionals or attorneys.
What to Say
Keep it brief and share any personal reason you're testifying. Although these bans are all different, they all share the same goal of pushing abortion out of reach. The trigger ban and 6-week ban would enact the nation's most restrictive abortion laws in Nebraska, banning abortions before people even know they are pregnant.
The bottom line is that the decision about whether and when to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions we make. Nebraskans should be able to make their own decisions about what is best for their families. And once someone has made the decision to have an abortion, they should be able to get one as soon as they decide without being forced to delay care, get on a plane to another state or carry a pregnancy against their will. The government should not stand in their way.
Where to Watch
Stream the Judiciary Committee hearing at https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/watch/live/.
What Else You Can Do
Email your state senator now with our action form. Demand they start respecting our rights and stop the bans. You can also join the hundreds of Nebraskans who have signed up to send postcards to state senators. We need to keep flooding their inboxes and their mailboxes. Finally, write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper. Many politicians rely on these sections to learn how their constituents feel about an issue.
Thanks for being with us.