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A measure to create "Choose Life" license plates in Nebraska advanced from an initial round of debate in the Legislature with significant support Tuesday.

Lawmakers voted 36-6 to end debate on the bill (LB46) and proceed to a vote. The bill passed on a 37-7 vote.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse said he introduced the measure to give Nebraskans another way to express support for pregnant women and unborn children. It is supported by anti-abortion groups.

Watermeier said he intends for money from selling the license plates to be used to help needy families. An amendment approved Monday directs those funds to the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

The plates would become available Jan. 1. First, the bill must pass two more rounds of voting in the Legislature.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and other groups that support abortion rights oppose the bill, calling it a subtle admonition of women who choose to terminate a pregnancy.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers led opposition to the bill in the Legislature, arguing it would involve the state in blatantly political speech when people interested in the plates could already petition the Department of Motor Vehicles for them under existing law.