Politics
Nebraska Supreme Court Upholds Law Restricting Abortion and Transgender Youth Medical Care
The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law on Friday that combines restrictions on abortion with measures limiting gender-affirming health care for minors. The court ruled that the law does not breach the state constitutional amendment requiring bills to address only a single subject.
While acknowledging that abortion and gender-affirming care are distinct, the majority opinion determined that both fall under the broader category of medical care. Chief Justice Mike Heavican, writing for the court, referenced a passage from a 1895 ruling to support the finding that a bill with a single general object, even if broad, adheres to the state constitution’s single-subject rule as long as it is clearly expressed.
The case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. The ACLU argued that the combined law violated Nebraska’s single-subject rule. However, the court rejected this argument, upholding the law.
The law, combining a 12-week abortion ban with restrictions on gender-affirming care, emerged from the Nebraska Legislature’s 2023 session. Initially, separate bills were proposed: one for an abortion ban at around six weeks and another to restrict gender-affirming treatments for minors. After the six-week ban faced a filibuster, the Legislature incorporated it into the gender-affirming care bill.
The law faced significant controversy, including a prolonged filibuster by a few lawmakers trying to block its passage. A district judge had previously dismissed the lawsuit challenging the law, leading to the ACLU’s appeal.
During arguments before the high court, the state’s attorney argued that the combined measures fell under the subject of health care, while Planned Parenthood contended that the Legislature treated abortion and transgender care as separate subjects initially.
Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman’s dissent criticized the majority for applying different standards to legislative bills compared to voter referendums, citing a 2020 case that blocked a medical marijuana initiative for violating the single-subject rule. She accused the majority of favoring legislative flexibility over constitutional adherence.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, many Republican-controlled states have enacted various abortion bans. Currently, fourteen states ban abortion at all stages with some exceptions, and three others impose bans after about six weeks. Nebraska and North Carolina have introduced bans at 12 weeks.
Additionally, many GOP-controlled states have enacted restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, with twenty-two states currently enforcing such measures. In contrast, several Democratic-controlled states have worked to safeguard access to both abortion and gender-affirming care.
In Nebraska, voters may ultimately decide the future of abortion access, with two questions likely to appear on the November ballot: one to add a right to abortion to the state constitution and another to enshrine the current 12-week ban.
President-elect Donald Trump has named Chris Wright, an oil and gas executive, to head the US Energy Department. Wright, the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, is known for his scepticism regarding climate change and is expected to advance Trump’s agenda of increasing fossil fuel production.
Trump praised Wright in a statement, describing him as a “key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace.” The president-elect also announced that Wright will serve on a newly formed Council of National Energy, which aims to guide the United States toward energy dominance through deregulation and encouraging private sector investments.
In related news, Trump’s campaign revealed that Will Scharf, one of the president-elect’s personal lawyers, will become the assistant to the president and White House staff secretary. Trump highlighted Scharf’s legal expertise, referring to him as a “highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team.”
Scharf notably represented Trump in a Supreme Court hearing on presidential immunity, where the court ruled that Trump was partially immune from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. In his new role, Scharf will manage key documents, including reports and briefings for the president.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is set to visit the Amazon rainforest later today, where he will engage with Brazilian indigenous leaders. This visit underscores his administration’s commitment to environmental and conservation efforts on a global scale.
President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled two significant appointments as he prepares for his return to the White House in January. Elise Stefanik, a 40-year-old New York Congresswoman, has been confirmed as Trump’s choice for the role of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Additionally, Trump has appointed Tom Homan, 62, to be his “border tsar.” Homan previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term.
This move comes as the Republican Party inches closer to securing full control of Congress. The GOP has already captured a majority in the Senate and is three seats away from winning the House of Representatives. The Republicans currently hold 215 seats, while Democrats have 210. Control of the 218-seat majority in the House would grant Republicans significant legislative power, including initiating spending bills and launching impeachment proceedings.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce Homan’s appointment, saying, “Tom Homan will be in charge of our Nation’s Borders (‘The Border Czar’), including… the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security.” Trump emphasized Homan’s role in deportation efforts, adding, “Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.”
President Joe Biden has invited President-elect Donald Trump to the White House for a meeting in the Oval Office next week. This tradition of sitting presidents welcoming their successors has been observed for decades, though it was notably absent in 2020 when Trump did not extend the invitation to Biden.
These meetings typically focus on the transition period and key considerations for establishing a new administration. During their sessions, outgoing and incoming presidents often discuss both domestic and foreign policy and emphasize a smooth transition of power.
In 2016, President Barack Obama hosted Trump and later said they agreed to collaborate for the good of the country. Similarly, when President George W. Bush met President-elect Obama in 2008, they talked about economic and security matters, while Laura Bush and Michelle Obama explored the White House grounds.
This upcoming meeting between Biden and Trump marks a significant step as the nation prepares for the presidential transition.
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