Filibuster stops help for abuse victims

Vulnerable women suffered a setback Feb. 4 when the Nebraska Legislature failed to advance a measure aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, the Nebraska Catholic Conference said.

Legislative Bill 669 would have required abortion facilities, before proceeding with an abortion, to screen women for possible abuse and offer simple ways to escape that abuse.

The measure had the needed 25 votes to advance from first-round debate, but not enough to overcome the 33-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster by opponents. 

“By failing to advance LB 669, a small minority of state senators failed victims of domestic violence and human trafficking,” said Marion Miner, associate director of Pro-Life & Family Policy for the Nebraska Catholic Conference.

“The abortion industry has a cozy financial relationship with abusers and traffickers,” he said in a press release.  “LB 669 is a simple, commonsense, pro-woman policy that requires abortionists to screen for domestic violence and trafficking, and give victims an opportunity to escape their tragic situation. But today those women will continue to be trapped by an industry that profits off their abuse.”

LB 669 would have required abortion facilities to privately and confidentially screen women for sex trafficking, domestic violence and coercion; give phone numbers for trafficking and domestic violence hotlines; and provide an opportunity to make a confidential phone call to escape her abuse.

The Nebraska Catholic Conference serves as the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Nebraska, representing the state’s three bishops.