On the issue of abortion and healthcare reform, Senator Ben Nelson could end up being a one man wrecking ball and pro-lifers will love him dearly for it if he pulls it off.
As early as today (Thursday), Senator Nelson is going to introduce his version of the pro-life Stupak amendment. It's not expected to pass but Nelson says if the language isn't stronger than what is currently in the bill, he'll vote against it.
This is where Senator Bob Casey comes in who's trying to work on some middle ground language that may be able to thread the needle. (yeah right, good luck) Shall we hearken back a month ago? Remember when pro-life Democrat Rep. Brad Ellsworth tried to do something similar and it went nowhere?
The Brody File is actively working this story and will bring you updates as we get them.
More info here. Read a quick blurb from The Associated Press below:
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., plans to unveil an anti-abortion amendment as early as Thursday that abortions rights supporters inside the Senate and out say they can't support.
Nelson says he won't vote for the underlying bill without his strong abortion language. But opponents say his amendment doesn't have the votes to pass. The outcome could be critical in determining the fate of President Barack Obama's signature health overhaul agenda.
At issue is how abortions would be handled in the health care bills. In the House, a bloc of anti-abortion Democrats forced Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to accept restrictions that outraged liberals as the price for passing the Democratic health care bill last month.
The language passed by the House would forbid any health plan that receives federal subsidies from paying for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother's life. A new government insurance plan couldn't offer abortions, and women would have to purchase separate coverage for abortion services.
Behind the scenes, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who opposes abortions but wants to vote for the overall health care bill, has been working to find language that could satisfy both sides.
"Our goal is to maintain essentially Hyde-like protections that prevent federal funds from being used to pay for and subsidize abortion," Casey's communications director Larry Smar said Wednesday, referring to the existing law on abortion, though nothing had been finalized.
Efforts to find such a common ground failed in the House.