Stupak Wants Separate Abortion Bill or He Won't Support Health Care Bill

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak, the House Democrat opposed to the health care legislation because of its abortion language, says his group of about a dozen lawmakers is still "holding firm" against the bill.

Unless he can "lock down" proof from Democratic leadership that they will change their health care reform package to add more abortion coverage restrictions, he and 12 other anti-abortion rights Democrats will vote against the bill, Stupak said this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"A lot of promises are made around this town," he said. "You've got to lock them down."

Stupak successfully altered the House health care bill language last year to add strict constraints to abortion coverage in health insurance plans. The Senate has looser language, but many, including 59,000 Catholic nuns, say it still keeps federal funding out of abortion.

Since the House this weekend will vote on the Senate bill, as well as a reconciliation "fix it" bill with no changes to the abortion language, Stupak is exploring ways to separately address the issue. He said that 10 days ago, he presented House leaders with a plan to take a vote on a separate bill that would change the Senate language.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

"There is renewed interest in that piece of legislation that and I and a number of us are ready to introduce," he said. "It's prepared, everybody is looking at it right now."

However, he said he needs more than just a promise that the House will take a vote on the separate bill.

"It has to be passed before the president would sign the Senate bill," he said.

Stupak has said in recent days that his life has been a "living hell" because of his fight to uphold his principles. However, he said today he will not be backing down.

"No public funding for abortion," he said. "Keep that that principle intact, and you can probably get our vote. Probably."

More Coverage of the Health Care Reform Debate:

The Hunt for Health Care Votes: Democrats to Watch
Obama Deploys Personal Presidential Touch
Dem Health Care Bill Pegged at $940B Over 10 Years
Washington Unplugged: Nancy Cordes on the Final Countdown
Dueling News Conferences
Obama Cancels Foreign Trip for Health Care Push
Pelosi: Health Care Bill "Best Initiative" for the Economy
GOP Plots Ways to Fight Health Care
Obama's Health Care Plan: What Do You Think?
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

8 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by pasmalltown March 20, 2010 9:40 AM EDT: "Mr Stupak wants.." This says it all. First he complains about being harassed, now he says he'll stand firm. Fine, he has that right and if his conscience supports this stance all the better, but after it's all said and done, he'd better realize that healthcare needs change.; Reply to this comment

by slownewsday_____ March 19, 2010 4:04 PM EDT

"Stupak" - I think they just got the last two letters of his name wrong...

.

Reply to this comment


by AGNOSCO March 19, 2010 6:20 PM EDT: This is great, he must have got teased alot in high school, maybe that's his problem.


by ro9tor March 19, 2010 3:26 PM EDT: I would like you to take a moment and read this:
"Footnote: There were recently Police Investigations of infant skeletons found during renovations to this convent and a number of others. It would seem that the images that came to me as a child in that building did have a factual base to them."

http://www.anunda.com/articles/dead-babies.htm; Reply to this comment


by AGNOSCO March 19, 2010 3:19 PM EDT: My message to Bart Stupak:
If you are so keen, Congressman Stupak, on ?protecting the sanctity of life?,vote Yes on this Health Care Bill. This Bill is something that puts American?s welfare ahead of your own stupidity. Saving Life is precisely what this healthcare reform bill does. Every life of every citizen, every man, woman, and child in America, needs to be protected from the Republican mind games. You care about the sanctitiy of life, what about us, other people, don't you care about our lives? Not just the life of a fetus, which I believe, since you are not a woman, you should not even have a say in it at all. You, personally, bear a terrible responsibility, Congressman Stupak and if you go against your own Democratic party and the President of the United States and the people of this country who need this Bill passed and vote 'No', I hope it tears you up inside for the rest of you life. Why would Republicans be obstructing this? This isn't about Health Care, it's about not letting our President succeed, EVER!

Are you about to screw this up for everybody else? Congressman Stupak. Are you a traitor to the American people and to this country? If you are, say so. Say it now on a news interview in broad daylight. Admit you took some kind of bribe or were paid off by somebody. Admit that you are a hypocrite and don't really care about human beings. But, the most important you can do right now, DO THE RIGHT THING-VOTE 'YES'.

Copyright ? 2010 by Newsentinel all; Reply to this comment


by jesselchan March 19, 2010 1:20 PM EDT: I SMELL PORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by jesselchan March 19, 2010 1:18 PM EDT: I SMELL PORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by tsigili March 19, 2010 10:31 AM EDT: Stand your ground, and tell the political machine you will not compromise your integrity.; Reply to this comment