LINCOLN- Following the failed attempt to advance Sen. Albrecht's LB626, a bill that would ban abortions in Nebraska after roughly six weeks, Sen. Riepe, who decided not to vote on the bill and subsequently killed it, said that he would not motion to reconsider the vote, despite meeting with Gov. Jim Pillen. "I've told the governor and his aides what I support," said Riepe, "My position hasn't changed."

Just hours after the vote was held on LB626, Gov. Pillen and Sen. Riepe held a meeting to discuss a potential re-vote. Riepe, a pro-life Republican, had previously attempted to compromise by introducing an amendment that would ban abortions after 12 weeks, but was soundly denied by his colleagues. Riepe argued that giving pregnant women more time to decide might convince some to choose to keep their baby, and therefore didn't vote on what he saw as a too-extreme proposal.

Despite his decision not to vote, however, Sen. Riepe did indicate that he would like to see the issue come up again next year, and stated that he wants to find a way to implement further restrictions. Last Thursday, almost immediately following the vote, the GOP committee in Saunder's County voted to issue a verbal censure of Riepe, and, like Pillen, called on the senator to motion to reconsider the vote. "We thought Riepe was on board with six weeks," said John Zaugg, the GOP chairman for Saunder's County, "It was very disappointing. A lot of people feel very passionate about this."

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