Positive Pro-Life Roundup: Nebraska 12-Week Ban Upheld, Oklahoma and South Dakota Bans Drop Abortions to Zero

Advancing a culture of life in America is the long-term goal of the pro-life movement. It’s a generational fight which takes time, and that’s why it’s important to celebrate each and every win.

The pro-life community has much to celebrate considering recent developments and data coming out of Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota.  

Nebraska

A Nebraska state judge has upheld the state’s 12-week abortion ban after Planned Parenthood and the ACLU challenged the legislation. 

You may recall that, before Nebraska’s legislature passed the 12-week abortion ban this past May, they tried to pass a heartbeat bill but ultimately failed due to a filibuster. Twelve weeks was the earliest abortion ban the legislature could pass. 

The law also includes language banning child sex changes. The law is considered alike because they both involve children’s health care and safety. 

The ACLU and Planned Parenthood sued the state immediately after the measure was enacted in May.

Planned Parenthood argued the law violates the Nebraska Constitution because it involves more than one subject—abortion and sex changes for minors. 

Nebraska’s Attorney General argued the state law concerns only one subject—children’s health care and safety.

The state court judge agreed with the Attorney General and upheld the 12-week abortion ban in mid-August. 

Planned Parenthood announced it will appeal the decision.

The judge also declined a request from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood to block enforcement of the law temporarily.

For now, Nebraska’s 12-week abortion ban will stay in effect.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s State Department of Health released its 2022 abortion report, and it is official, abortions have dropped to zero since Roe’s reversal—saving thousands and thousands of babies and mothers from the tragedy of abortion. 

The state report shows that in 2021 there were over 7,200 abortions in Oklahoma. In the first five months of 2022, about 2,100 abortions were performed.

In late May 2022, Oklahoma enacted legislation protecting preborn human life from the moment of conception, and just one month later, in June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Since June of 2022, there have been zero abortions in Oklahoma.

Source: Oklahoma’s State of Department of Health

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, that’s a 70% drop in abortions. 

Pro-life laws are working.

South Dakota

Abortions in South Dakota dropped to zero as soon as the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe and the state’s trigger law went into effect, protecting preborn babies from the moment of conception. 

South Dakota Department of Health also released its 2022 abortion report.

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, abortions dropped nearly 30% from 2021 to 2022. The total number of abortions performed in 2022 was 137—down from 192 the year before.

Source: South Dakota’s Department of Health

Pro-life laws are making a positive difference for thousands of women across the nation.

Little by little, step by step, legislation is one way the pro-life movement will continue to influence America to embrace a culture of life.

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