Merv Riepe, 80-yr-old Omaha Republican seen until recently as reliable pro-life vote, withholds 33rd vote needed to pass 6-week abortion ban — effectively killing bill for 2023.
Abortion remains legal in Nebraska up to 20 weeks post-fertilization.
BIG DEAL: LB 626, Nebraska's proposed 6-week abortion ban, is dead. A vote to end debate failed by a single vote.
Seems largely thanks to Omaha Sen. Merv Riepe (R). He intro'd an amendment to instead tighten current law to 12 wks post-fertilization ban. His vote: "not voting."
