The Speakers Lobby
  • November 19, 2009 | 12:28 PM ET

    Pro-life Senator Challenges Dems on Abortion

    Sen Mike Johanns, R-NE, laid a challenge at the feet of the small handful of pro-life Democrats in the Senate, saying just one needs to come forward and vote against proceeding to the Senate Democratic leader's healthcare reform bill, one Johanns declared inadequate in ensuring that no federal funds can be spent on abortion.

    "We don't need 40 Democrats to stand up for what's right. We need just one. if just one pro-life Democrat would say i will not vote to move this bill until it's fixed, until it's truly pro-life, that would happen. So those who say they are pro-life but refuse to take that stand, I worry are not standing up for life. "

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, attempted to fence off federal money from covering abortion in his bill, but pro-life critics say the effort fails. The HHS Secretary is to ensure that each state has one private plan that covers abortion in the state-based healthcare exchanges. The public option is not permitted to cover the procedure.

    But those who oppose abortion want to see the stricter language that passed in the House - where abortions are not permitted in plans on the new exchanges where federal subsidies might be used to buy abortion coverage.

    A new Pew poll showed that only three percent of Americans who oppose the Democrats healthcare legislation do so because of abortion, still it was an issue that nearly brought the House healthcare bill down.

    Johanns issued a challenge that surely had his senior colleague from his home state, Dem Sen Ben Nelson, in mind, saying that merely voting to proceed just to try to change the bill was unacceptable.

    Nelson said as much in a statement Wednesday night, that merely voting to proceed was not a vote of support for the bill, rather it was a vote in favor of moving forward and trying to make changes.

    Johanns said he believes there are not the necessary 60 votes to strip out what he sees as offensive abortion language.

    "I ask for a pro-life senator to come down here and stand up on this bill. Pro-life Americans are waiting, and they aren't fooled."

    Trish Turner
    Senior Capitol Hill Producer

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foemUnfarne

The information here is great. I will invite my friends here. Thanks

January 25, 2010 at 10:08 am

REG in AZ

One blogger recently took pride in finding fault with the Democratic representative for withholding her vote until she received millions in concessions from Sen. Reid. The real trouble with that is she is faulting the Democratic representative for fighting for her constituents benefit and ignores that the Republicans mostly fail to do that and instead give in to the pressure, intimidation and coercion, and just fall in line to all stubbornly and irresponsibly support the Party's positions,...

November 24, 2009 at 5:18 pm

S

Again with the abortion issue?? This is never going to be something that is agreed upon. Since when does something that someone does with their body, a private decision, have ANY impact on anyone else?? The republican stance on abortion is primarily a religious one..well what about the people who do not have the same religous views? Are there views not valid? Should they not be able to make their own decisions, own choices? Once again the Christian republicans believe that their religious views...

November 24, 2009 at 1:29 pm

HELEN HVASTA

YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD FOR YOUR ACTIONS. I JUST WONDER IF YOU CAN TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES.

November 23, 2009 at 11:55 pm

HElen Hvasta

What is is about these liberals who vote funding for abortions...that they DON"T understand it's not against the CHURCH....IT'S AGAINST GOD'S WORD.... 'IF YOU RECEIVE THE LEAST OF THESE LITTLE ONES, YOU RECEIVE ME' I guess you liberals don't receive God. Then you don't deserve to receive HIM in HOLY COMMUNION.... NO MATTER WHICH CHURCH YOU GO...ESPECIALLY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH....FOR THE BLESSED EUCHARIST IS REALLY THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS.

November 23, 2009 at 11:53 pm

Elizabeth M. wetzig

Thank You for calling for the truth.

November 23, 2009 at 9:14 pm

krisf

WE have only killed 50 million babies since ROE V WADE, what another 100 million.... ?

November 23, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Larry wade Sr

I am pro-life and that is just one of the reasons this government run health care plan must fail. The demo crats can lie all they want to but this health care reform will run our great country into bebt that we can never overcome. I hope if they run this government run health care down the americans throuts/ that prince harry and all his left wing loons get voted out i will do my part to see it happen. Larry

November 23, 2009 at 3:50 pm

Kimberly Bailey-Brown

Abortion is murder. As soon as this baby is conceived it becomes a human being with a soul. Everyone who wants to approve abortions should see the video on what this little one goes through as it is being taken out of it's mother. You can even watch on your computer "The silent Scream". It is pretty graffic, and very heart breaking to watch, but well worth watching for those who approve abortions. I think anyone who wants to have an abortion, or who performs an abortion should watch this...

November 23, 2009 at 3:13 pm

Dawn Malcolm

I don't know who the used for their polls but everyone that I have talked to has a problem with paying for abortions.

November 23, 2009 at 12:30 pm

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