Stupak: Randy Neugebauer Should Apologize on House Floor for "Baby Killer" Remark
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) called on Texas Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer to apologize on the House floor for calling out "baby killer" during Stupak's speech on Sunday night in support of the health care bill which passed.
"Randy did call and apologize. He said it wasn't directed towards me personally. Well, if that's the case then it must have been directed to the rest of the members of the House. I would hope Randy would just clear it up and take to the House of the Floor and say, 'look I didn't mean to offend anyone. If I did, I apologize,' Stupak said on "Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's daily politics Web show.
"That's what he should do and that's what I would expect him to do," he told moderator John Dickerson.
The Michigan Democrat admitted he has received a "mixed reaction" from his constituents after negotiating an 11th hour deal with White House officials in order to limit federal funding for abortions in the health care legislations, paving the way for his "yes" vote.
"It's sort of been a mixed reaction. It's always sort-of a toss-up in my district," he said.
He did not hide his enthusiasm for the language of the executive order he negotiated. "It's very clear. The Hyde language, which does not allow federal funding for abortions will apply to this new law," Stupak told Dickerson.
"Some people say this piece of paper isn't worth it, but I would remind them that in 2007 when George W. Bush signed the executive order to prevent stem-cell research these groups that are criticizing it, they applauded it, they welcomed it and now President Obama's going to sign an executive order once again protecting life and somehow it's not worth the paper it's written on. You can't have it both ways," he explained.
CBS News' Jill Jackson notes that this executive order does not have to be renewed annually, as the Hyde amendment must, but that any president, including President Obama, can overturn that rule.
"The president said he will implement the Hyde restrictions. Makes it applicable to this law. This executive order goes to the law creating this health care plan. It doesn't apply back to the annual appropriation process. So the Hyde restrictions would apply to this law. Not the annual appropriations.," Stupak explained.
Finally, Stupak explained that the political implications of his vote do not overshadow the importance of his vote to pass health care.
"The political downside, look if for some reason you lose your seat I'd rather lose my seat over something like this, a good piece of health care legislation that I believe in and if I lose my seat over it well maybe it was worth it," he said.
Watch the full interview above. "Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click