Nebraska lawmakers debated repeal of the death penalty for three and a half hours before finally voting to override Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto.

Senator John McCollister of Omaha aruged in favor of the repeal, saying executions in America hit a high of 98 in 1999, but fell to 35 by 2014.

Senator Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins told his colleagues they were making a mistake.

The Unicameral voted 30-to-19 to override the veto and enact repeal.