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Abortion-rights supporters back Senate health bill
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11/19/09 12:26 PM ET
Abortion-rights supporters in the House on Thursday praised the Senate health bill's provisions on federal funding for abortion.
Two key House lawmakers backed the compromise language on abortion in the bill unveiled yesterday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), lending the provisions key support as the legislative process moves forward.
The office of Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), the lawmaker whose language on federal funding for abortion was viewed as insufficient by pro-life Democrats in the House, said the Senate bill "has adopted a reasonable, common ground approach" on the issue.
“I am pleased that the U.S. Senate has maintained current law when addressing the abortion issue," she said. "By adopting a common-sense abortion provision, the U.S. Senate is ensuring the no federal funds will be spent on abortion coverage while not further restricting a woman’s right to choose."
The bill Reid introduced would require the establishment of at least one plan without coverage for abortions, and require the secretary of Health and Human Services to audit other plans to ensure no federal money is going to fund abortions.
DeGette and 40 other pro-choice lawmakers in the House had threatened to vote against any final health bill if it were to include restrictions on federal funding for abortion like those included in an amendment to the House bill from Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).
Stupak, by contrast, has threatened to fell a health bill if it doesn't go far enough in ensuring no federal funds go to abortion.
The Michigan Democrat wouldn't say Thursday whether he supports or opposes the Senate bill in its current form, but said he'd like to see an amendment similar to his offered in the Senate.
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