MURMAN’S CORNER
As Nebraska gets closer to the 2024 election, voters will decide on two competing abortion- related measures.
The first is measure 434, the “Protect Women and Children Initiative,” which protects the unborn from abortion past the first trimester, or about thirteen weeks of pregnancy.
The second is 439, the socalled “Protect Our Rights” measure, which in reality, endangers the rights of the unborn by enshrining abortion on demand into law.
The contrast between the two measures is clear. By thirteen weeks, an unborn baby has unique fingerprints, able to suck its thumb, swallow, produce urine in the kidneys, and has a detectable heartbeat.
There may be some who disagree with the pro-life agenda, but there is good reason that the polling data overwhelmingly shows Americans oppose abortion during the second trimester and beyond- reputable polls from the Associated Press and Gallup display this. But given the nature of modern elections, we can likely expect a considerable amount of dramatic ads, messaging, and money put into these petitions.
While the wording of Measure 439 may seem like it only allows abortion before “fetal viability”, it allows vague and unspecified health exceptions well beyond a viability date.
Even then, “fetal viability” is in itself a vague and unspecific standard. In 1973, the original Roe v. Wade decision recognized fetal viability as around the 28th week of pregnancy. But in 2020, a baby was born at only 21 weeks. As medicine improves, this creates a legal dilemma of when viability truly occurs and who can decide.
The vagueness of Measure 439 seems not to be due to poor writing, but instead to deliberately legalize abortion as late as possible wrapped up in language meant to sound reasonable and moderate.
The vague language of Measure 439 also removes any regulatory oversight of abortion by declaring the right to abortion “without interference from the state”. By denying any form of “interference” the language in effect denies any form of regulation.
Under Measure 439, common sense regulations like parental notification and consent of a pregnant minor seeking an abortion and even licensing and inspection laws of abortion facilities could be completely outlawed.
Fighting against a ballot measure is different than fighting against a bill at the State Capitol. It will take a culture that stands up for our most innocent and vulnerable, the unborn. It will take considerable work not only for those at the voting booth but also at the church pews and the kitchen table.
All of us have been touched by the blessing of a child in some way. This election season, I ask Nebraskans to remember those children. They are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of their Creator and deserving of life.
It will take Nebraska families, clergy, and voters to build a culture that values life. All of us must love and speak up for our neighbors and our neighbors include the unborn babies in the womb.
Given these two measures, Nebraska has an important choice standing at its crossroads. When they vote for 439, the “Protect Our Rights” measure, they say the most vulnerable of all of us are not deserving of the very most basic and fundamental rightthe right to life.
When they vote for 434, the “Protect Women and Children” measure, they say unborn babies with beating hearts deserve that right. This is about more than just abortion.
Even under Measure 434, abortion is not banned. Instead, simply the unpopular second-trimester and the even more unpopular third-trimester late-term abortions are restricted.
Measure 434 seeks to protect the unborn from the most extreme and cruel abortions. This is a common-sense measure meant to protect babies with already developed unique fingerprints and beating hearts.
I respectfully ask you to support Measure 434 and vote to protect the unborn.
