Today marks day 22 of the 90-day legislative session. Although the legislature has nearly surpassed a quarter of the remaining days, my colleagues and I have already debated some of the most significant issues facing Nebraskans: protecting innocent life and voter ID.

On Wednesday, February 1st, I introduced LB 535 to the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. LB 535, through AM 215, establishes the framework for the election processes in Nebraska. Initiative 432, requiring a photo ID to vote, was passed by Nebraskan voters. As legislators, it is now our duty to uphold the constitution and make sure that only the ballots of qualified voters are counted. Nebraskans have spoken, and it is now the Nebraska State Legislature’s duty to guarantee that their voices are heard.
We live in a time where a person must produce identification to buy cold medicine or spray paint and it simply does not make sense that we do not ask the same of a person exercising their most important duty to their country. Voter ID is not a brand-new concept. A voter ID law of some kind is already in effect in 35 states. This includes South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, which are our bordering states. These states have made a wise decision to safeguard their voters from fraud by realizing the value of a safe and fair election. Voter ID is a practical method for protecting our elections against fraud. No voter in Nebraska would lose their right to vote under this proposed method. Instead, it would give our elections a reassuring amount of extra security. My aim is that this legislation would boost voter trust in our electoral process and safeguard our elections. Nebraskans have spoken and it is now our duty as legislators to pass legislation that fosters the will of the people.
LB 626, the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, introduced by Senator Albrecht and heard by the Health and Human Services Committee, was also heard on Wednesday, February 1st. This is the first time our Legislature has been in session since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and it is more crucial now than ever before to solidify that Nebraska continues to be a pro-life state; it is imperative and long overdue for our laws to reflect it. LB 626 would give children who have a heartbeat legal protection from being aborted. The Nebraska Heartbeat Act would mandate that, before performing any abortion, a doctor conduct an ultrasound in accordance with the standard medical procedure to check for a fetal heartbeat. An abortion cannot be carried out if there is a heartbeat. For rape, incest, or a medical emergency, there are exceptions to this bill. This only affects intrauterine pregnancies which exclude ectopic pregnancies (outside of the uterus), IVF procedures (embryos are created in a lab outside of the lab), and miscarriages (no heartbeat present using an ultrasound). The Nebraska Heartbeat Act is focused solely on preventing elective abortions on unborn children who have heartbeats.
As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.