DeGette, Stupak huddle on abortion on floor

In the surest sign yet that an abortion deal may be close, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dianna DeGette (D-Colo.) were moments ago huddling on the House floor.

Both Stupak and DeGette, a leader of the Pro Choice Caucus, have independently been reviewing drafts of an executive order meant to bury the abortion hatchet and bring Stupak on board without causing the Pro Choice Caucus to withdraw their support for the healthcare bill.

DeGette earlier Sunday said she still has concerns about an executive order aimed at winning over anti-abortion rights Democrats.

"We're looking at it," said DeGette. "We gave our comments to the White House and they're looking at it and they'll get back to us. We don't have it back yet," she said.

"We have some real concerns about what's going on."

Asked if she was confident about a compromise being struck, DeGette said, "I hope so, I hope so."

DeGette said both groups sent feedback to the White House and are waiting for a revised version.
       
Stupak wants the executive order to ensure that federal funds from the healthcare bill cannot be used for abortion sevices. Democrats appear unlikely to have the 216 votes they need to win a floor vote without Stupak and his supporters.

The brief meeting between DeGette and Stupak on the floor, where they could be seen reviewing a document together, represents the first time the two sides have sat down together in months.

After conversing for a few minutes, Stupak disappeared off the floor, and DeGette went to speak with other abortion-rights Democrats, and then with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The two groups reviewed the draft in separate rooms in Pelosi's office, DeGette said

This post was updated at 3:30 p.m.

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