Stupak reiterates he will not support Senate health bill over abortion funding

March 05, 2010

In a March 4 interview, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), the Catholic author of an amendment barring the use of federal funds to pay for most abortions in health care reform, made clear he would not support Senate health care reform legislation that provides for such public funding.

Under the “reconciliation” process that is taking shape, members of the House of Representatives are expected to vote on the Senate bill, which Stupak says will “go nowhere” in the House in its present form because of the deals made with senators to secure their votes. Noting that his pro-life amendment was the only health care reform amendment to pass with bipartisan support, Stupak called upon President Barack Obama to show flexibility on the issue.

Because the House’s health care reform legislation passed by a narrow 220-215 margin, the support of Rep. Stupak and other pro-life Democrats is considered crucial to the final passage of health care reform legislation.

 

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Further information:

• Abortion re-emerges in health care battle (USA Today)
• House approves Stupak amendment in major pro-life victory (CWN, 11/9)
• With pro-life amendment's defeat, US bishops urgently call for changes in Senate health bill (CWN, 12/9)
• Senate approves health-care reform on party-line vote (CWN, 12/24)