Senate's vote against the Pro-Life Amendment was immoral (Rep. Paul Broun)

The vast majority of America does not want the federal government to subsidize abortions.  Unfortunately, that message has not reached the U.S. Senate, which took a step towards overturning more than thirty years of public policy - policy which has been supported by Americans on both sides of the issue.

In September, President Barack Obama stated that he would not support a health care plan that subsidizes abortions.  Just last month, House leadership barely passed its health care experiment, which at least included the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, continuing the ban on taxpayer subsidized abortions.  Without this amendment, the House bill would have failed.  Unfortunately, when the Senate considered a similar amendment, it was voted down.  This is both immoral and inexcusable.

Just like millions of Americans, I am totally against the practice of abortion.  As a physician, I know on the basis of medical and scientific evidence that human life begins with fertilization.  This is why the Sanctity of Human Life Act (HR 227) is the very first bill I introduce every Congress.  Like the vast majority in this country, I also find it absolutely immoral for the federal government to use public funds to subsidize abortion.  But that is exactly what 54 Senators voted to do on Tuesday night when they voted to table Senator Nelson’s amendment.

I sincerely hope that the Senate Leadership will decide to bring this issue back to the floor for an up or down vote.  Not because a health care bill that subsidizes abortions likely would fail in the House, but because it is the right thing to do.