An amendment restricting abortions “does not appear to have enough support to be attached to the Senate healthcare bill,” The Hill reports.
Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) said he expected that all but a few Republicans would support the Sen. Ben Nelson’s (D-Neb) amendment, which would restrict access to abortions for women who receive federal subsidies.
But the amendment is likely to be subject to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, and Kyl does not expect 20 votes on the other side to back the controversial change.
“Most Republicans will but I don’t think that will be enough to carry it through, it’s a 60-vote margin,” Kyl told The Hill Thursday afternoon.
Liberal Democrats “were confident the measure, based on an amendment Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) succeeded in adding to the House bill, would not pass the upper chamber.”
“I don’t think Stupak is passing so I’m not worried right now, we’re going to defeat it,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), one of the most outspoken Senate advocates for abortion rights.
(credit image – getty)
Congress in Your Pocket
