Abortion, immigration stall health care bill

Dealing with abortion and immigration may stall the health care bill in the House.

Democratic leaders may push a key vote on the overhaul until Saturday or next week in order to resolve the thorny issues, Steven T. Dennis and Tory Newmyer report ($).

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to reconcile factions of her party who want to ensure that no federal funding pays for abortions and pro-abortion-rights Members who want to ensure that at least some of the insurance plans cover it.

Under the existing bill, those abortions would have to be covered with private money.

Democratic leaders were also considering whether to bar illegal immigrants from using their own money to buy insurance through a new national exchange.

President Barack Obama and the Senate Finance Committee have supported a similar ban, but House liberals and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are opposed.

-- Ryan Teague Beckwith, Congress.org

Recent Headlines

Who are the fence sitters?

With Senate Democrats needing 60 votes to overcome a filibuster this weekend, all eyes will be on five undecided senators.

Tyranny of the silent filibuster

Why doesn't Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid force an old-fashioned filibuster that could make Republicans look silly? Because he can't.

Reading the Senate bill out loud

Who would actually read the bill out loud? How can Republicans force a reading? A Q&A on a parliamentary tactic proposed for the health care bill.

Directories

Legislation

Issues & Actions

Election


Soapbox

More Resources