House Dems Reach Deal on Abortion Impasse

[BlessedAssurance]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...ion-lawmakers/

Capping months of struggle, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse blocking a vote on sweeping health care legislation late Friday and officials expressed optimism they had finally lined up the support needed to pass President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

A vote was expected on the legislation on Saturday, after Obama's scheduled midmorning trip to the Capitol complex to make one final pitch for its approval. The bill is designed to spread coverage to tens of millions who now lack it and ban insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

Under the arrangement, Reps. Bart Stupak of Michigan, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana and other abortion opponents were reportedly promised an opportunity to insert tougher restrictions into the legislation during debate on the House floor.

A Democratic source had said the agreement would provide for a permanent adoption of the "Hyde Amendment," which bars the use of federal dollars to pay for abortions.

The amendment is expected to pass with the support of almost all Republicans and anti-abortion Democrats.

But Stupak told Fox News he had "not received any assurances by the Speaker that (the amendment) would be made in order."

"I have not had a deal with the Speaker," he said. "If our amendment is made in order, I believe it will pass. " We've had so many agreements, I don't believe anything unless it's on paper."

The leadership's hope is that no matter how that vote turns out, Democrats on both sides of the abortion divide will then unite to give the health care bill a majority over unanimous Republican opposition.

lies, lies, lies

And yet they'll still believe. Was the guarantee to put the bills on-line for a 72 hour inspection time in writing? If someone know, that would be interesting.

The Washington Times has a poll, asking if their readers thought this bill would pass. 80% responded no.

Are they kidding themselves? I don't see how this can fail.