Earlier this week, on March 20th, LB441, a bill intended to combat obscene materials in public schools and libraries, was defeated with only 30 of the 33 needed votes to overcome the Democrat led filibuster.
3 Republicans voted AGAINST LB441, Senator Jana Hughes, Senator Merv Riepe, and Senator Tom Brandt. With their no votes, the bill was killed.
All is not lost! A motion to reconsider the vote on LB441 may be called on Monday morning!!! Which means our action is needed!!!
First call or email Senators Hughes, Riepe, and Brandt! They need to flip their votes!!!
Jhughes@leg.ne.gov – 402.471.2756
Mriepe@leg.ne.gov – 402.471.2623
Tbrandt@leg.ne.gov – 402.471.2711
ALSO Email the other senators encouraging their continued support of LB441:
Raguilar@leg.ne.gov,
Jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov,
Jarch@leg.ne.gov,
Carmendariz@leg.ne.gov,
Bballard@leg.ne.gov,
Cbosn@leg.ne.gov,
Bbostelman@leg.ne.gov,
Tbrewer@leg.ne.gov,
Rclements@leg.ne.gov,
Bdekay@leg.ne.gov,
Mdorn@leg.ne.gov,
Rdover@leg.ne.gov,
Serdman@leg.ne.gov,
Shalloran@leg.ne.gov,
Bhansen@leg.ne.gov,
Bhardin@leg.ne.gov,
Rholdcroft@leg.ne.gov,
Tibach@leg.ne.gov,
Mjacobson@leg.ne.gov,
Llinehan@leg.ne.gov,
Llippincott@leg.ne.gov,
Jlowe@leg.ne.gov,
Kkauth@leg.ne.gov,
Mmcdonnell@leg.ne.gov,
Fmeyer@leg.ne.gov,
Mmoser@leg.ne.gov,
Dmurman@leg.ne.gov,
Rsanders@leg.ne.gov,
Jslama@leg.ne.gov,
Bvongillern@leg.ne.gov,
Jwayne@leg.ne.gov
This would give us 34 of 33 votes needed to bring LB441 back to the floor! Jacobson was excused, not voting, and is expected to be supportive. We also had the very appreciated support of Democrats, Senator McDonnell, and Senator Wayne.
The three that failed, yet again, to vote for LB441 need major pressure and more evidence of the need to take every measure to eliminate obscene material from our public schools and libraries. They have been led to believe that this legislation will not accomplish Senator Albrecht’s goal and instead seeks to persecute teachers and librarians. Additionally, the democrats continue to push the insane narrative that the obscene material is needed for children!
Senator Day claimed that graphic content such as descriptive sexual assaults somehow provide healing, empathy, and the understanding that it’s wrong.
Senator John Cavanaugh insisted numerous times that even if there was one objectionable part, you have to take the entire novel or context into account. He also admitted he’d never read any of the contested books in order to make such a claim – yet he continued.
Senator Hunt, Raybould, Conrad, and others accused LB441 of being a nationally stimulated effort meant to ban books and target the LGBQT community.
And lastly, Senator Michaela Cavanaugh made many of the same claims as others, yet has taken such deep offense at Senator Halloran’s reading of this explicit content on the floor that she has filed a resolution in attempt of censuring him. She claims that because he said Senator Cavanaugh (not even referring to her, but her brother) during the reading that it was sexual assault.
The hypocrisy is rich. The content was too explicit for the legislative floor and public media, but it is totally fine in public schools?! Unfortunately, the media is running with her warped version and has completely lost focus that the democrats at large are excusing explicit and obscene material in our public schools and libraries. This has clouded the judgment of a few of our senators. Email them ASAP and tell them to support the vote to reconsider on LB441 and to vote YES on the bill!
Additional resources and talking points for LB441 can be found at the following links:
https://open.substack.com/pub/forwardnebraska/p/senators-are-triggered-by-porn-they?r=rb3iq&utm_medium=ios
https://forwardnebraska.substack.com/p/school-porn-is-not-accidental
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX9j0067EVo
You can view the LB441 Public Hearing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utm6lv4zmyY
(Warning: viewer discretion advised – Graphic Material is read aloud)
You can watch the Monday night floor debate for LB441 here: https://www.youtube.com/live/sTPXSVQ69tU?si=Qs9AirPouBYnoSxO
(At 1:15:00, Halloran’s remarks begin. At 1:25:00, Cavanaugh’s meltdown begins)
Also consider, we TELL children murder is bad and they know not to do it, it’s likely safe to say most would NEVER EVEN HAVE SUCH THOUGHTS and don’t even need to be told – yet we don’t have to show them pictures or detailed descriptions of murdered people in order for them to understand it’s bad or have empathy for murdered people.
Same thing with sexual assault, inappropriate relationships, or obscene material of any kind.
Lastly, IF what the democrats claim is true (it’s not) – that there’s no obscenity in schools – then they should take no issue in ensuring that public schools and the libraries remain FREE of obscenity. There is no reason not to take EVERY action available to protect children and our communities from obscene material with no literary, artistic, or scientific value. So, while the democrats claim LB441 is targeting teachers and librarians, if they aren’t doing anything wrong, they should have no concerns about any potential changes. If they are supplying children with graphic or obscene materials, they absolutely deserve to be held accountable. Period.
Make sure you get emails sent BEFORE Monday, March 25th, 2024! Thank you for your time and commitment to standing to protect our children!
Nebraskans Against Government Overreach 