Senate Rejects Controversial Abortion Amendment

The Senate tabled an amendment to health care reform legislation that would offer specific language to bar federal subsidies for abortion following a 54 to 45 vote early Tuesday evening.

The amendment was a key factor in securing the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who proposed the amendment with the support of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Last Friday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said it was unlikely the amendment would pass, but that the Senate would pursue an alternative provision to ensure votes from Nelson and other pro-life Democrats.

With support from Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), the only Republican Senator to approve passing a draft of the legislation through the Finance Committee, unlikely, Senate Democratic leadership will need to deliver the votes of all 60 Democrats and left-leaning independents to pass the legislation.

A similar amendment in the House health care bill proposed by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) was approved by 240-194 vote.