Stabenow: Nelson Abortion Amendment Unlikely To Pass

[WilliamPitt]

Stabenow Says Nelson Abortion Amendment Unlikely To Pass
Brian Beutler | December 7, 2009, 12:09PM

Pro-choice Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) says she's confident an abortion amendment to the Senate health care bill--written by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and modeled on the restrictive abortion provision in the House legislation--does not have the votes to pass

"I don't believe it's going to pass, whether it's today or tomorrow," Stabenow said at a press event this morning. "I truly believe that the votes are there in order to stop it."

"I believe it goes too far," Stabenow went on. "I believe that we made a commitment entering this debate that this was a debate about expanding coverage--expanding coverage--for women."

Stabenow hasn't seen the actual language. "It's my understanding from talking to Sen. Nelson yesterday that it would parallel the Stupak language," she said. That means it would likely prevent millions of people receiving government assistance to buy health insurance from purchasing policies that pay for abortions. Nelson has said that he'll filibuster the bill if his amendment--or something like it--don't win the day. We'll be looking at this, and all major health care developments, very closely.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/stabenow-says-nelson-abortion-amendment-unlikely-to-pass.php?ref=fpa

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Sure hope she is correct.

[berni_mccoy]

3. +1

[WilliamPitt]

2. Afternoon kick