January 8, 2024
GUEST POST: Students for Life Action (SFLAction) students, team members, and volunteers are embarking on a multi-month, multi-state campaign to engage with state leaders during a series of Legislative Days of Action. These engagements not only help build connections between the Pro-Life Generation and legislators and their staff as we engage them on the priorities of the pro-life movement, but events such as these also engage voters and help push meaningful, lifesaving legislation.
Starting the new year off with a bang, SFLAction was recently in Nebraska. Here’s what happened, according to Cheyenne Vandeventer, a SFLAction Legislative Intern:
“A group of 10 students and volunteers came out for the event, and we spent the day delivering stacks of petitions to the Senate Speaker’s office and the Governor’s office. The staff we gave the petitions to at the Governor’s office seemed very supportive of the bill, which was excellent.
“We also had meetings with Senator Mike McDonnell, Senator Lynn Walz, and Senator Robert Clements, thanking the latter specifically for his support of the Heartbeat Abortion Protection Act. In turn, Senator Clements graciously said that being pro-life is his number one priority.
“Senator Mike McDonnell was likewise glad to engage with SFLAction, and we thanked him for supporting the Nebraska Heartbeat Act as a co-sponsor last session. He noted that Senator Merv Riepe’s vote will be crucial if we want to pass it this session – yet this is someone who’s often been a thorn in the side of the pro-life movement in Nebraska.
“Unfortunately, when we spoke with Senator Lynn Walz, she wouldn’t commit to much of anything. When I asked if she would support the Nebraska Heartbeat Act as written last session, she said her main concern was the mother, and she wants to meet with Senator Merv Riepe to discuss adding a fetal abnormality exception to the bill.”
SFLAction believes that fetal abnormality exceptions are ableist, and that supporting the life of the mother is paramount – because abortion doesn’t improve life, it takes it. And all life is precious.
“We split into groups to deliver the remaining letters and flyers to other Senator’s offices, and one of our groups was able to meet with Senator Albrecht who introduced the Heartbeat Act last session. She too noted that Senator Riepe had joined with the Democrats at the last minute to torpedo the bill.
“Naturally, we tried to speak with Senator Merv Riepe at his office – but he wasn’t available. How convenient…but you can’t blame us for trying — again! The best we could do with this office was talk with his assistant and explain the importance of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act.
“Overall, our presence, engagements, and conversations seemed to leave quite an impression, especially with the media were at the Capitol as it wasn’t very busy during our time there.”
Stay tuned over the coming weeks, as more recaps from our Lobby Days from across 17 states will be shared.
