Nebraska lawmakers begin debate over abortion ban

A debate over a bill that would ban abortion after cardiac activity is detected will take place in Nebraska. Cardiac activity is generally detected around the sixth week of pregnancy.

Sen. Merv Riepe, of Ralston, introduced the amendment last month, saying he was concerned that the six-week proposal, introduced by Thurston Sen. Joni Albrecht, might not give women enough time to know that they're pregnant. But he later made clear that he would vote to advance Albrecht's bill on Wednesday if the vote is close.

"I wanted to have some dialogue," Riepe said at a committee hearing the day after he introduced the amendment. "And I think I’m clearly on the record that I will be ... the 33rd vote to move it."