Nelson amendment (restricting abortions) expected to fall short even with GOP support

[babylonsister]

Nelson amendment expected to fall short even with GOP support
By Alexander Bolton - 12/03/09 05:44 PM ET


An amendment restricting abortions does not appear to have enough support to be attached to the Senate healthcare bill.

Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) said he expected that all but a few Republicans would support the Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D-Neb) amendment, which would restrict access to abortions for women who receive federal subsidies.

But the amendment is likely to be subject to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, and Kyl does not expect 20 votes on the other side to back the controversial change.

“Most Republicans will but I don’t think that will be enough to carry it through, it’s a 60-vote margin,” Kyl told The Hill Thursday afternoon.

Republicans control only 40 seats, which means Nelson would have to pick up the support of at least 19 Democrats (or 18 plus one of two independents), an unlikely scenario given strong opposition from the Democratic base.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70551-nelson-amendment-expected-to-fall-short-even-with-gop-support

[noamnety]

1. I don't have a lot of faith in congress

I'll be glad if my cynicism is proven wrong - I just haven't been too successful at underestimating them to date.

I can't believe we even got to this point where congress is debating which health care to prohibit, when all the talk should be about which health care should be mandatory.

[MNDemNY]

2. But it makes little difference to you, does it babs?

You are still OK with the Stupak language, right?