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Nebraska may repeal death penalty amid drug shortage

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is considering repealing the death penalty amid a shortage of lethal injection drugs.

A bill to repeal the death penalty won first-round approval from lawmakers Thursday.

Lawmakers advanced the bill 30-13. If that support holds, death penalty opponents would have enough votes to override Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts' promised veto.

Two additional votes are required, and death penalty supporters are still working to block the legislation. This year, the measure has won support from a coalition of Republicans who say the death penalty costs too much and the state doesn't even have the drugs to kill those on death row.

Nebraska last executed someone in 1997.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, has fought for four decades years to abolish capital punishment.

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