Nebraska lawmakers pass bill restricting abortion and gender-affirming care News
© WikiMedia (Larissa Puro)
Nebraska lawmakers pass bill restricting abortion and gender-affirming care

The Nebraska legislature passed a contentious bill on Friday, implementing a 12-week abortion ban and restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.

Nebraska’s new abortion ban, its first since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling last year, reduces the state’s current abortion limit from around 20 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, and cases where delivery could pose a risk to the life of the mother.

The bill also restricts transgender youths under 19 from receiving gender-confirming surgery. The state’s chief medical officer will establish rules for puberty blockers and hormone therapies, with some exceptions for minors already undergoing treatment.

Some lawmakers voiced concerns in the immediate aftermath of the bill’s passage. Senator Michaela Cavanaugh, whose catchphrase is #Don’tLegislateHate, tweeted:

The passage of the bill follows a controversial merging of the abortion limits with the transgender health bill, a move that has been criticized as underhanded by progressive lawmakers. Despite the controversy, the bill will take effect immediately once signed by the governor due to an attached emergency clause.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.