News

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 4, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Following reports that the Senate may vote imminently on its pro-life amendment, the National Right to Life Committee is urging voters to lobby senators to ensure a yes vote for the pro-life Hatch-Nelson amendment.
 
Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) have submitted an amendment to the health care reform bill that, like the Stupak amendment in the House, prevents the Senate version of reform from mandating abortion coverage or providing federal funds for coverage that includes elective abortions.

Although the text of the Hatch-Nelson amendment has yet to be released, some sources on Capitol Hill speculate that the Senate is eager to vote on it and could act as early as this weekend. 

Many analysts doubt that the pro-life amendment will succeed.  However, Sen. Nelson has vowed to oppose the final bill if it does not include his language – a refusal that could bring down the whole measure unless Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secures at least one vote from among Republican ranks.

The amendment would need 60 votes to secure its place in the bill.   There are 40 Republicans in the Senate, but both Republican Senators from Maine, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, support government funding for abortion.  Last year, the following 8 Democratic Senators voted to prohibit funding for abortion or abortion coverage in the Indian Health Service: Senators Bayh (IN), Byrd (WV), Casey (PA), Johnson (SD), Landrieu (LA), Nelson (NE), Pryor (AR), Reid (NV). Both Democratic Senators from North Dakota, Conrad and Dorgan, have voted against government funding for abortion coverage in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.  Senator Lincoln (D-AR) has not voted for pro-life funding amendments, but did vote for the partial birth abortion ban. 

Click here for the National Right to Life Committee's resource for contacting Senators