Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak tells the Beltway Buzz he's "confident" he has the votes to block the rule that allows H.R. 3200 onto the floor for debate. However, he says he's not taking anything for granted.
As co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, the Democrat wants Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow an up or down vote on the Hyde Amendment. That's an amendment Democrats and Republicans have historically added to legislation that deals with health care funding. It basically prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for abortions.
H.R. 3200 is currently silent on abortion. In the past, when that has occurred, courts have ruled the controversial procedure can be covered and paid for with taxpayer money.
Stupak has told the Speaker without a clean up or down vote he'll lead as many as 39 Democrats, with Republicans to block the legislation.
And, even if the Speaker allows the vote, Stupak isn't promising he'll support the bill. Here's why....