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Nelson Amendment Fails |
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Prayer-Soldier writes "The Stupak amendment was credited with paving the way for the Health Care Reform Bill to pass the House. The amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds or health care subsidies for the purposes of funding abortion cleared the way for pro-life democrats to vote for the Health Care Bill.
The Nelson Amendment was the Senate version of the Stupak amendment, however, it did not receive the same support. According to an 8 Dec 09 Christian Science Monitor report, the Senate voted to table the amendment by a margin of 54 to 45.
On 7 Dec 09, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NB) had stated, “As written, the Senate health care bill allows taxpayer dollars, directly and indirectly, to pay for insurance plans that cover abortion. Most Nebraskans, and Americans, do not favor using public funds to cover abortion and as a result this bill shouldn’t open the door to do so.” On 8 Dec 09, expressing his disappointment, Sen Nelson was quoted on his web site as saying, “Our proposal to ensure that the Senate health care bill doesn’t open the door to public funding of abortion was reasonable. It was rational because it followed established federal policy. And it was right because taxpayers shouldn’t be required to pay for abortions.”
In response to the Senate vote, the Catholic New Agency quoted Family Research Council President Tony Perkins who said that he is “very disappointed in the Senate's vote today; not even wanting even to vote up or down on this measure.” Perkins went on to say, “I think it's become very evident through this process ... this is more about abortion and Planned Parenthood than it is about Americans and their physical well being.”
According to the Christian Science Monitor report, despite the Senate vote, the abortion issue is not dead, and pro-abortion supporter's face an uphill fight. For the Senate to end a potential Republican filibuster in debate of the Health Care Bill, the Democrats will need all 60 of their votes. If they lose Sen Nelson over the abortion issue, the Democrats will need to gain a Republican defector. The Christian Science Monitor points out that even if the Democrats gain sufficient votes to prevent a filibuster, the Senate must still reconcile with the House on abortion.
Cited Articles and Posts:
The Christian Science Monitor (8 Dec 09) http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/12/08/nelson-amendment-fails-but-healthcare-abortion-battle-isnt-over/
Catholic News Agency (8 Dec 09) http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17985
Senator Ben Nelson Web Site (8 Dec 09) http://bennelson.senate.gov/press/press_releases/120809-02.cfm
Senator Ben Nelson Web Site (7 Dec 09) http://bennelson.senate.gov/press/press_releases/120709-01.cfm"
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Posted on Tuesday, December 08 @ 20:44:50 MST by admin
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