Abortion opponents in the Senate are seeking tough restrictions in the health care overhaul bill, a move that could roil a shaky Democratic effort to pass President Barack Obama's signature issue by year's end.
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said Monday he could not support a bill unless it clearly prohibits federal dollars from going to pay for abortions. Nelson is weighing options, including offering an amendment similar to the one passed by the House this weekend.
"I want to make sure something comparable ... is in there," Nelson said.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pro-Life Win
If there was one single reason why the Democrats got a majority for health care legislation in the House this past weekend, it was a deal cut with pro-life Democrats.
I have been saying for months - sooner or later - Democrats would be faced with a situation where they would have to make a major concession in order to keep the health bill on track, and that is what happened with abortion.
This compromise involved what is basically an effort to ban any money involved in a new government health care system from paying for abortion services.
Earlier this month, Speaker Nancy Pelosi frustrated liberals in her party by backtracking a bit on the public health insurance option, when it became clear the plan wouldn't draw enough votes to pass.
By late last week, Pelosi and her lieutenants had realized a group of anti-abortion Democrats could scuttle the entire health bill over the abortion issue.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
I have been saying for months - sooner or later - Democrats would be faced with a situation where they would have to make a major concession in order to keep the health bill on track, and that is what happened with abortion.
This compromise involved what is basically an effort to ban any money involved in a new government health care system from paying for abortion services.
Earlier this month, Speaker Nancy Pelosi frustrated liberals in her party by backtracking a bit on the public health insurance option, when it became clear the plan wouldn't draw enough votes to pass.
By late last week, Pelosi and her lieutenants had realized a group of anti-abortion Democrats could scuttle the entire health bill over the abortion issue.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Obama and health care: Miles to go
For one thing, few people expect the health care bill passed by the House to survive in the U.S. Senate.
All the Senate Republicans and some Senate Democrats are balking at the idea of a publicly funded health insurance option, a main feature of the House bill. These critics can use the Senate filibuster rule to block a vote on health care legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is championing a plan that features differences on costs, new taxes, and abortion requirements. USA TODAY describes these differences in this package.
If the Democratic-led Senate does pass a bill, it is all but certain that differences with the House will need to be worked out in a conference committee, with a compromise bill to be sent back to both chambers for a vote.
SOURCE: USA Today
All the Senate Republicans and some Senate Democrats are balking at the idea of a publicly funded health insurance option, a main feature of the House bill. These critics can use the Senate filibuster rule to block a vote on health care legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is championing a plan that features differences on costs, new taxes, and abortion requirements. USA TODAY describes these differences in this package.
If the Democratic-led Senate does pass a bill, it is all but certain that differences with the House will need to be worked out in a conference committee, with a compromise bill to be sent back to both chambers for a vote.
SOURCE: USA Today
Despite House approval, health care reform faces tough battle
Turning the bill into law remains uncertain. The Senate must now pass its own version of a health care bill, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada last week signaled uncertainty over whether that will happen this year.
Once both chambers have passed a bill, a congressional conference committee will merge the two proposals into a consensus version that would require final approval from each chamber and Obama's signature.
[...] Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, reiterated that he would join a Republican filibuster against a health care bill if it contains a government-run public health insurance option after the chamber's amendment process.
SOURCE: CNN Politics
Once both chambers have passed a bill, a congressional conference committee will merge the two proposals into a consensus version that would require final approval from each chamber and Obama's signature.
[...] Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, reiterated that he would join a Republican filibuster against a health care bill if it contains a government-run public health insurance option after the chamber's amendment process.
SOURCE: CNN Politics
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