Washington D.C., Dec 19, 2009 / 14:54 pm
This afternoon Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) announced that he will now vote for cloture on the Senate health care bill and for the bill itself. The move is causing the pro-life community to say that he caved in to pressure from within his party.
Announcing his decision in a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Sen. Nelson remarked, “Change is never easy … but change is what is needed in America today. And that is why I intend to vote for cloture… and vote for health care reform.”
The Nebraska senator also remarked on the issue of abortion, which has been a major point of contention during his negotiations.
“As you know,” the senator said at his press conference, “I have strongly held views on the subject and I have fought hard to prevent tax dollars from being used to subsidize abortions. I believe we have accomplished that goal. I have also fought hard to protect the right of states to regulate the kind of insurance that is offered, and to provide health insurance options in every state that do not provide coverage for abortion.