Pelosi: No decisions yet on allowing abortion amendment

Democrats haven't decided yet whether to permit an amendment to their health bill on abortion, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday.

Pelosi said during her weekly press conference that she and other Democratic leaders have not decided whether or not to allow changes submitted by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) to clarify language on federal funding for abortions.

"His work has been very important, and we haven't made any decisions about amendment," Pelosi said in her weekly press conference.

40-some pro-life Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), have threatened to oppose the bill over concerns about the strength of provisions in the bill barring federal funds for pregnancy termination. House leaders have maintained throughout the healthcare debate, though, that the bill does not and will not allow such funding.

"Congressman Ellsworth's record in Congress and his statements outside of Congress have been strongly pro-life," Pelosi said. "He and others who have strong pro-life convictions want very much to see a healthcare bill passed."

The Speaker has been working to get to 218 votes for her bill this weekend, and the support of some or all of the pro-life Democrats could be a key component of the bill's fate.

The House Rules Committee will meet Friday afternoon to finalize the rules for the House debate this weekend on health legislation, which will determine the extent to which -- if at all -- Ellsworth's stronger anti-abortion language will be included. Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) had expressed openness to including the Indiana centrists language in reports on Wednesday.

---