Last month a Nebraska Heartbeat Act (LB 626), sponsored by state Senator Joni Albrecht, R-Thurston, was set to ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Though, as we had previously reported, State Republican Senator Merv Riepe killed the bill. Now Riepe speaks out on his decision.
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Merv Riepe had initially sponsored the bill leading many to expect his vote, as per usual. However, when it came time to vote on the bill and send it to the state’s Governor, Riepe voted against it in a shocking turn of events. He had said at the time that he was okay with a 12-week ban but not a 6-week ban. While he assured the public that he was pro-life he claimed, “I’m pro-life…But I can’t live someone else’s life.” Now we have his full statement.
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According to Life News Riepe stated,
“I know there are probably some in there that think I betrayed them,” Riepe said in a recent interview. “But I tell you what, I’ve told them before, I don’t answer to them, I am going to vote my own vote. I’m going to vote it how I see it. And if they don’t like it, go away. I’ve told the party this. My vote belongs to the people of my district, not to the Republican Party.”
“I’ve already taken a whipping and I’m not backing off because I think that’s right.”
“I think there is huge support for 12 weeks as being something sustainable and considered to be reasonable,” Riepe said.
“Neither side would get exactly what they want but could live with it.”
“We live in a pluralistic society,” Riepe said, where a variety of views are in play.
“I’m pro-life,” he said. “But I can’t live someone else’s life.”
“I respect the governor,” he said, “and I know this is close to his heart.”
Pillen, he said, is “a reasonable individual with good core values … but I’m not really good at obedience.”
“I’m a big boy … I served in the Navy … and I think I’m right.”
It came as a shock when Riepe stood up during the vote and stated, “Present not voting.” His action shocked all as Democrats became overjoyed and Republicans betrayed. The bill would have had exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and medical emergencies. Currently, abortion is legal in Nebraska for up to 20 weeks for any reason. Many were hoping that this bill would be enacted to save thousands of lives. Now it stands that those lives once hoped for by those in the state looking to save unborn babies will be lost as abortion continues to be readily available in the state.
