McConnell warns of Senate fight over abortion

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Tuesday issued a public warning of a coming Senate fight over abortion once the healthcare reform debate starts.

Speaking to reporters at a mid-afternoon press conference, McConnell suggested Republicans will fight hard for an amendment inserted into the House-passed healthcare bill last Saturday by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) that would limit public funding for abortions under the bill. Asked if he had the necessary 41 votes to block the Senate's healthcare process, McConnell sidestepped the question but quickly brought up the Stupak amendment and said the GOP will introduce it in the Senate.

"I'm not sure we're yet able to predict the outcome of amendments we've not yet had. But I think the Stupak amendment and the concern about taxpayer funds not being used to pay for abortions is going to be a very important issue in the Senate as well," McConnell said."I expect there will be amendments in that area."

McConnell also referenced public comments by Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut that expressed skepticism about the Democrats' healthcare bill. Lieberman has said he opposes a public-option component to the bill, and Nelson has said he supports the Stupak amendment. McConnell also said Republicans will likely raise the issue of healthcare to illegal immigrants.

"No doubt, Senator Lieberman has indicated how important he feels about the issue of the government getting into the insurance business and how inappropriate that is. Other members feel strongly that we not somehow indirectly subsidize insurance for people who are not American citizens," he said. "These are all issues that will unfold on the Senate floor,"

The House vote of 220-215 last Saturday has put pressure on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to deliver a Senate version of a healthcare bill, either by the end of the year or early next year. Democratic leaders and aides say the Senate bill will likely be introduced next week.