Thune admits Nelson abortion amendment will likely fail

Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) amendment intended to restrict public funding for abortions will not likely pass, said Republican Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Thune, a conservative Republican and chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, said at a press conference that "most of us" will support the amendment but that "is very much in doubt."

The amendment, which is also sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who also opposes abortion rights, needs 60 votes to be included in the bill. Nelson introduced the language today. The language is similar to Rep. Bart Stupak's (D-Mich.) amendment that passed the House.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), speaking at a press conference Monday morning, also suggested that the amendment will not garner enough support to pass. Stabenow, who is a pro-abortion rights Democrat, said that the amendment "goes too far" in restricting private funds for abortions.

Democrats made similar criticism of the Stupak amendment during the House debate.

---