Roundup: An Amendment By Any Other Name Smells Just As Bad

Congress debates restrictive amendment that effects only women -- wait, haven't we been here before? Also, where do conservatives stand on baby expenses?

Sometimes you just have to wonder if you are stuck in the movie “Groundhog’s Day.” Here we are, five weeks later, with the same amendment pushed by another group of congressmen, this time, senators, over the same objections over it being a sexist amendment that only applies to and harms women, especially poor women.

But just as Bill Murray gets a chance to make each version of the same day a little better, there are bright sides to what I can only call debate rerun. One such highlight was democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s bright idea for who should really purchase “abortion riders”:

Sen. Mikulski, visibly angry with the amendment, said the very idea of having to purchase a rider for abortion coverage was not only demonizing but insulting to women. She called the language discriminatory and said no woman ever plans on having an abortion. “How about letting men buy an abortion rider for the women they get pregnant,” Mikulski fumed. “Maybe we’ll give them a discount,” she added.

Much of the attention of the media has been on Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson for pushing the amendment, both while knowing that it likely will never pass in the senate and stating clearly that he has no interest in compromise nor really much interest in passing health care reform as it stands, anyway. Less focus has been given to Sen. Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, who, although considered as solidly pro-life as Nelson, has made it apparent that he is not only looking for a middle ground to the debate, but that his vote on reform will not be held hostage to his pro-life leanings.

Mr. Casey has become a central figure in talking to Democratic leadership, the White House and others about how to navigate the potential impasse.

“Sen. Casey from the start has been one of the most constructive players in the health care debate,” said Jim Kessler, of the progressive think tank Third Way and a former staffer for Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

“He’s one of the few pro-life Democrats who can talk to all sides, and it puts him in a very unique position. I don’t think it’s just someone that provides cover. I think he can search for language that not every side will love, but they will support.”

In the end, although the senate debate was stirred up primarily by a pro-life democratic senator, all eyes may end up on a pro-choice republican one to make the final decision:

Another factor arguing against additional abortion amendments is the fact that if Reid cannot count on Nelson to get to 60 votes, he will have to pin his hopes on Olympia Snowe, a strong supporter of abortion rights. Snowe’s main stated concern about health reform is the public option. But stronger abortion restrictions would only make her less likely to sign on to be that crucial last vote to pass reform. Which is why as of Monday night, Democratic leaders were much busier crafting a public option compromise than worrying about abortion negotiations.

The vote on the Stupak…err, pardon me, Nelson-Hatch amendment should occur this morning.

 

Mini roundup: Babies are spendy. Sadly, conservatives aren’t sure where they should stand on that fact.

 

12/8

The Stupak Lessons — By: Robert Costa National Review Online

Letter: Health bill shouldn’t restrict women’s care The Saratogian

State defends ban on abortion as women take case to Europe Irish Independent

The Health Reform Abortion Wars, Part Deux – Swampland TIME

Reader’s view: Pro-life lawmakers ignore the living who need help Duluth News Tribune

NIH backs embryonic stem cells to protect abortions The News Journal

COLUMN: Column twisted abortion facts Wausau Daily Herald

Catholic group’s abortion rights ads conflict with church’s stance Marquette Tribune

12/7

Casey seeks middle ground on abortion issue Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Abortion kills Northwest Herald

Senate to confront abortion in health care debate San Francisco Chronicle

Parallels between abortion, recession unclear Northwest Herald

Senators: Obama Didn’t Mention Public Option or Abortion – The Note ABCNews.com

The Big Issues Bedeviling Harry Reid NPR

Don’t Be Fooled, Democrats Want Funding for Abortion to Be Part of Health Care FOXNews

Congress: Debating Nelson’s amendment msnbc.com

Nelson’s Abortion Amendment Expected Today as Health Care Debate Continues American Spectator

The Abortion Debate: A Primer – Prescriptions Blog NYTimes

NY Woman Charged with ‘Attempted Abortion‘ After Alleged Bid to Kill Rival’s Baby Lifesite

Massachusetts’ would-be senators roil healthcare abortion debate Christian Science Monitor

A New Alternative to the Public Option Emerges CBS News

Fox News Anchor: “Low-Income Babies” Will Increase Without Federal Abortion Huffington Post

Abortion in Healthcare Bill Remains a Puzzle for Democrats—and GOP Opponents U.S. News & World Report

Drew Joseph: Boxer leads charge on abortion San Francisco Chronicle

Are Pro-Choice Democrats Ready to Turn Over Control of Their Bodies Hot Air

Big Brother Wants to Manage Low-Income Women’s Family Planning Change.org Women’s Rights Blog

Irish Abortion Challenge Hearing This Week Ms. Magazine

Africa: USA/Africa – Aids – Yes, We Can? AllAfrica.com

Just one boy, 17, awaits adoption in Richland County Mansfield News Journal

Abortion and the fraud of legislative precedents. Slate

Denominations’ support of abortion in health care ‘tragic’ Town Hall

House Omnibus Bill Could Overturn Pro-Life Laws on Tax-Funded Abortions LifeNews.com

Parents’ Sex Talk With Kids: Too Little Too Late TIME

State feels birth pangs Las Vegas Review – Journal

Colorado maternity bill would require coverage for birth control The Colorado Independent

Boys Miss Out on Sex Education Talks U.S. News & World Report

The real inconvenient truth National Post