Expert explains upcoming battle over pro-abortion Senate health care bill

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Sen. Harry Reid

Washington D.C., Nov 20, 2009 / 02:36 pm (CNA).- Catholic political analyst, Deal Hudson, said yesterday that pro-life forces will face an uphill battle over the health care bill expected to reach its peak of discussion in the Senate over the weekend.

Hudson, director of InsideCatholic.com, explained that the Senate Health Care Bill “contains federal funding for abortion, and many other unmentionables, e.g., so-called ‘end-of-life’ care.”

“In spite of Sen. Reid's explicit promise, the Stupak-Pitts Amendment was rejected,” Hudson wrote.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill would permit abortions in a government-run plan if it receives the approval of the Health and Human Services Secretary. Additionally, any woman receiving federal subsidies could buy a private health plan that covers abortion.

In contrast, the Stupak amendment approved by a majority in the House two weeks ago would prohibit a newly-created government-run option to cover abortions and would not allow people to use federal subsidies to buy private plans covering abortions.

Hudson explained to CNA that the bill can be prevented from going to the floor for debate if 41 senators oppose the cloture. He added that reaching this number is possible making Saturday a day that will be “very dramatic.”

On Saturday, the Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m. continuing the debate which leads up to the vote at 8:00 p.m. on the motion to proceed.

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, one of three lawmakers being wooed by Senate Democratic leaders to back the health-care legislation, won the inclusion of an extra $100 million in federal aid for low-income citizens in her state on Thursday.

Despite the $100 million which has been seen as an anticipated payment for her vote, Robert Sawicki, press secretary for the senator said Landrieu hasn’t decided whether to vote for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid’s motion to start debate on the legislation.

The National Right to Life said on Thursday that Reid's more than 2,000 page bill is "completely unacceptable" for pro-lifers.

Douglas Johnson, the NRL legislative director, criticized the notion that public money wouldn't end up being spent on abortion, noting that you can't segregate public and private funds when someone receives federal subsidies.

"The claim that a federal agency can pay for abortions with private money is a hoax," Johnson said. "All funds spent by a federal agency are federal funds."

"Provisions that don't include a ban on federal funding aren't acceptable to anti-abortion lawmakers," Rep. Bart Stupak said Thursday. Rep. Dale Kildee (D- Mich.) who supported Stupak's amendment, said the final bill needs the Stupak amendment to pass when it goes back to the House.

"It would be very difficult to pass the bill without it," he said.

Comments: 11

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Rhoda
Arden, N C/US 11/20/2009 11:25 PM EST

I am outraged that Harry Reid had the nerve to say about 6 weeks ago that he was a Christian and a pro-lifer. That is hogwash and he is nothing but a lier, just like the rest of the Radicals at the WH. Undoubtly Harry Reid thinks Obama will pay Harry Reid's way back into the WH. I am praying the Lord will bring his wrath down on all of them. They are trying to turn our wonderful country into a One World Order. The Radical Democrats hate the American people and are trying to take the American people to the bottom of the barrel and so we won't be able to get out. They are going to get the Radical Muslim Islam Communist including Soros. Obama just paid $200,000,000 to Saudi Arabia and they shipped oil to China and then China paid Soros. So what does that tell you. All of these Radicals are in coo hoots together including that scoundrel Reid and President Pelosi. Obama isn't the President in this WH. He is still out campaigning with President Pelosi and Prince Reid have taken over the WH. I hope these two people will have to go thru some major problems like we will have to do if this healthcare goes thru. One thing about it is the Lord is in control and he is allowing these things to happen for a purpose. Maybe it is to show the American they need to turn back to him. I'm not sure why the Lord is allowing this, but if these WH scoundrels don't ask the Lord to come into their life and repent for all they have done to the American. The will all burn in Hell forever

Published by: van gott
aurora/co./usa 11/20/2009 10:44 PM EST

Reid health care bill is unacceptable. Those senators who vote for it are subject to being one term .

Published by: Lea Gilchinsky
New York City 11/20/2009 06:32 PM EST

Anyone supporting this HealthCare Fiasco will be voted out of office - This Saturday Night voting scheme underestimatING American intelligent SHAME ON YOU HARRY REID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Published by: AntonioSosa
Coral Gables/FL/USA 11/20/2009 06:12 PM EST

We pray Catholics are not manipulated again. The Stupak amendment was just another trick used by Obama and his accomplices to pass the Obamacare SCAM through the House. Tricked by the amendment, some Catholics (not all) actually believed the lies of Obama and his accomplices regarding abortion coverage! Tricked by the amendment, they failed to look at the evil behind the whole Obamacare scam. Informed Americans, however, understand that, if Obama gets his way, Obamacare will FORCE us to pay for abortions, infanticide (late-term abortion) and probably euthanasia, in spite of Obama’s lies and tricks like the Stupak amendment. Lies do not change Obama's pro-abortion and pro-infanticide (late-term abortion) stand, nor the aberrant stands of Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel and Science Czar John Holdren. Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel, rightfully called "Doctor Death," would make Dr. Kervorkian proud. Dr. Emanuel has said that "Medical care should not be given to those who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens." As per Dr. Emanuel, your mother suffering from Alzheimer’s or your child diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome SHOULD NOT receive medical care.

Published by: albert marek
dallas tx. USA 11/20/2009 06:03 PM EST

How can anyone compromise, find common ground or be neutral on abortion? Would killing 500,000 babies each year instead of 1 million as is presently done be considered a compromise? You either support the killing of babies or you don't. There can be no compromise. To force anyone to pay for something that is immoral and evil is criminal. There are many other things wrong with this health bill. It should be defeated.

Published by: Ken Trojan
matteson,ill,60443 11/20/2009 06:00 PM EST

If this bill is even voted on those who vote for it will be thrown out in the next election 2010, and with the new congress,obama,will be IMPREACHED and thrown out of OFFICE,a great racedivide will occure , and the DEMOCRATS will never hold power again. REALLY think about this VOTE,and DON,T VOTE FOR IT>

Published by: Peter Dotson
Crestwood, KY, United States 11/20/2009 05:52 PM EST

All these Liberals seem to know is to spend, spend, spend. Smart people know not to throw outg the baby with the bath water, fix the parts that need it and leave the rest alone. But I guess if you do that you would not gain control over the Heralth Care System.

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass. USA 11/20/2009 04:55 PM EST

The public wether it likes it or not is being force fed the entire democratic agenda. Abortion will be funded by the taxpayer wether they like it or not. The dictatorship of the USA is that headed by liberal democrats! The new government is not democratic and Constitutional,it is agenda based. Change in a society like this spells insecurity.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 11/20/2009 04:09 PM EST

We are all sinners and we all have committed sins knowingly or not. We repent our sins and we beg for Almighty God's mercy. For those who have had abortion like the American Holy Woman Dorothy Day, we understand that you are just like us sinners. We shall not point our finger at you and we wil pray with you. But for the satan and his agents who always ADVOCATE that sins are good to the sinners, you are always our number one enemy. Senator Harry Reid: What part of no tax dollars to fund the murderous abortion directly or indirectly that you do not understand? You are truly satan's agent. You will be defeated!

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, MN 11/20/2009 03:39 PM EST

We must all pray tomorrow that this bill, unlike this countries unborn children, is killed by the vote. We must pray that those on the fence like Mary Landrieu won't accept the 30 pieces of silver. Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and all pro-abortionists continue to fail to realize that no country that murders its own children has a future. How many times are we going to allow Reid to lie to us?

Published by: jay janssen
bettendorf iowa usa 11/20/2009 03:27 PM EST

Reid health bill is a disaster...abortions will be permitted...tell your senators to vote NO.

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