State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha defends his support as a Democrat for Legislative Bill 626. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
OMAHA — Consequences for some women and LGBTQ Nebraskans followed the adoption of Legislative Bill 574, last year’s law combining a stricter abortion ban with tighter restrictions on gender-affirming health care for trans minors.
Some complained of longer waits for care, needing out-of-state travel for medical procedures and increased online and real-world harassment.
On Wednesday, Democratic State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha faced the first clear political consequences from his votes that made passage of LB 574 possible. The Douglas County Democratic Party formally withdrew its support of him.
More than 60% of the county party’s central committee supported a resolution to “rescind, withhold and cease” supporting McDonnell. They said it was less about an individual senator’s actions and more about protecting people being targeted.
A copy of the resolution obtained by the Examiner from three people who attended the central committee meeting cited McDonnell’s votes supporting bills restricting gender-affirming care and stricter abortion bans, including LB 574, which outlawed abortions after 12 weeks gestational age.