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House passes anti-abortion amendment

By Eric Zimmermann - 11/07/09 09:56 PM ET

The House just passed a polarizing anti-abortion measure that would prevent insurance plans that receive federal subsidies from covering abortion.

The amendment, which will now be attached to broader healthcare legislation, passed 240-194. Sixty-four Democrats voted "yes" along with all but one Republican.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) voted present in an effort to help kill the amendment and thus harm the chances of passing the entire bill. National Right to Life has announced they'll hold Shadegg's "present" vote against him in their annual legislative scorecard.

Democrats saw the amendment, offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), as a necessary concession to round up the 218 votes they need to pass the larger healthcare bill.

Stupak had threatened to muster enough pro-life Democrats to defeat the whole reform bill if he didn't get a vote on his amendment.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/66845-house-passes-anti-abortion-amendment

Comments (22)

Dear Congressman Ellsworth,I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere disappointment on your BY COTUS on 11/09/2009 at 15:08
Karen wrote: I am done with the Democrats. For some reason, they think it's OK to throw women's rights, especially poor women's rights, overboard."But don't forget, Karen, that it was the conservative movement of the 1980's that pulled the trigger on the ERA. I.E. don't look for anything better from the GOP.BY Tim Kennedy on 11/09/2009 at 16:58
Looks like this procedure wasn't covered anyway. I am still trying to learn more about the issue, but it does seem that this is another way for the government to divide our attention so that we arent paying attention to the true issue at hand. Im not saying that the abortion issues isnt important, but this bill doesn't change what already wasBY Jessie on 11/09/2009 at 23:43
Mary Reinhert and Linda- and other like-minded nuts…Please learn the history of a word before you choose to exercise it, girls. For Commie means to dictate… as you both sit there dictating how other women run their lives. If it would be mentally damaging and physiologically damaging to you, then by all means, avoid aborting altogether. But, for others, vice versa may be damaging, and thereby, may opt for aborting. Dont be a commie and dictate the lives of others. Mary- the right wing base is full of the "idiotic commie women" that only carry a high-school diploma. Go figure. If it were up to the other women, like Liberal women, women of true freedom, they'd dictate that all women be mandated to a higher education to avoid stupidity as such youve demonstrated. It's funny that women complain about being taxed on supporting the rights of women rights', yet, fail to acknowledge that all the rest of us that pay taxes are taxed to death because of fat people, and even those 5lbs. overweight. Money isn't the issue. It's knowing that other Americans are entitled to decency and CHOICE.Fools.BY Andy on 11/10/2009 at 13:14
Since when is taking a life a "right" for anyone?BY Rae on 11/10/2009 at 15:46
The woman made her choice when she chose to have unprotected sex. Yes, sometimes birth control doesn't work, but by and large, abortion (murdering a fetus) is about birth control. So selfish!BY Janet Crocket on 11/10/2009 at 15:48
this is ridiculous. why not pay for an abortion now for a fraction of the cost, vs paying $10,000 for the childbirth, plus a life time of insurance cost for the kid? the morals of these pro-life wackos are passing the financial burden onto EVERYONE, all taxpayers, for their views! that's insane. spend a little on the abortion now, save BIG later!http://totalwtf.blogspot.com/BY eric on 11/11/2009 at 17:11
Yes, Eric. Aren't those morals just a pesky thing? Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if no one had them at all? Yep, heavy sarcasm in play there.BY Janet Crocket on 11/11/2009 at 18:25
Why should Health Insurance pay for ELECTIVE abortion?BY CNJ Derrick on 11/12/2009 at 09:40
"Look Out Democratic's There will be a backlash to your stupidity. If you think Health care is more importanted to jobs then your crazy. We will see how long your in office come election day.BY Mary Reinert on 11/07/2009 at 23:54"Don't you think jobs will be created by giving 40 million more people Health Insurance?? Good paying jobs in that industry.BY CNJ Derrick on 11/12/2009 at 09:43
Some of you idiots need to read the bill an d watch less TV. It doesn't really change anything WRT existing law, which is that federal money cannot be used to fund abortions.The reason why some liberals are upset about it (aside from political grandstanding) is because while they've been lying that they don't think a public system would stamp out a private one they know it might, and for some it is infact their goal, in which case this amendment would cause some problems.Also, it DOES allow for abortions when the mothers life is in danger, if it was the result of rape or incest.READ IT…http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15284081/Stupak-Amendment-to-HR-3962-Rev-108BY Aa on 11/12/2009 at 20:18
What are the growing numbers of women without money or support supposed to do when they find themselves with a compromised unplanned pregnancy? We can't go back to coat hangers! Providing safe, legal, counseled reproductive services reduce the numbers of abortion, spread of abuse, mutilation, ignorance and STDs. Why do we want to go backwards. We need laws and taxes to deal with complex realities not ideology! Dark Age Denial thinking is very dangerous!Besid es, isn't Stupak part of "The Family" that evangelizes yet members hire prostitutes and have affairs on their wives?BY Laura Schlegel on 12/02/2009 at 16:22

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