About 24 of the 64 other Democratic supporters of the Stupak Amendment were pro-choice, he told CNA.
He accused abortion funding proponents themselves of trying to “impose their values against the wishes of the American people.”
Before his amendment, he said, both the House and Senate health care bills required enrollees to pay one dollar per month for “reproductive rights,” which included abortion services.
“That was a mandate, you had to do it. If anyone was imposing their moral viewpoint it was the pro-choice side,” Rep. Stupak insisted.
In the course of his interview with CNA, Stupak also discussed his pro-life convictions.
Support for the right to life has “always been my position,” he said.
He explained that most legislators from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula favor the right to life whether they are Democrats or Republicans. “It’s just who we are up here,” he said.
Asked about his Catholic upbringing, Rep. Stupak said his father was in seminary but left six months short of being ordained to the priesthood.
“I went to Catholic school, my wife went to Catholic school, our sons went to Catholic schools. There’s always been a certain Catholic influence in our families. Both my wife and I have been very strong.”
He added that the U.S. Catholic bishops have been “great to work with” on the pro-life issue.
CNA noted that the March for Life was taking place in Washington, D.C. and asked the Congressman if he would like to address the participants.
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“I appreciate their dedication and their willingness to stand up for life,” he replied. “And I certainly appreciate all their help and support and prayers as we fought this amendment on the House floor and we continue to fight this amendment. We must keep the policy as it is, no funding on abortion.”