By Kathleen Gilbert
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Senators Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Ut.) today introduced for consideration in the Senate's health care bill their abortion-related amendment, which mirrors the House's Stupak amendment. The Senate is expected to vote swiftly on the critical language.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said earlier that the chamber would be eager to vote on the amendment, which would restore Hyde-amendment restrictions on federal funding for most abortions.
“I want to get it out of the way,” said Reid. “I think we all do.”
The vote on the abortion language could come as early as Monday or Tuesday.
The vote marks a critical juncture for the health care overhaul: while pro-abortion Democrat lawmakers have vowed to vote down the bill if it includes the pro-life language, Democrat Sen. Nelson has said he would oppose the bill without it. Democrats have been struggling to secure votes from 60 lawmakers to block a filibuster on the bill.
Nonetheless, Democrats charged with pressuring members of their caucus to support the bill continue to express confidence amid intense compromising efforts. As lawmakers worked on the bill in a rare weekend session, President Obama visited the Capitol Sunday to deliver a closed door speech rallying Democrats in support of his legislation.
“We are close to getting this done,” said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Click here for the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition's resource for contacting U.S. lawmakers.