Washington (CNN) – Sen. Ben Nelson tells CNN he has received a compromise proposal on abortion restrictions that look "better than what's in the bill," but that he has to review it, and send it back to anti-abortion interest groups in his home state of Nebraska.
The compromise proposal was devised by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn, another anti-abortion Democrat who has been trying to help Democratic leaders and Nelson negotiate a compromise to win his support for health care.
A Democratic leadership aide would say only that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nelson and others have been "going back and forth" with ideas on how to find common ground on this vexing issue for several days.
Nelson - whose vote is likely crucial to pass the Democratic health care reform bill - has said he believes the abortion restrictions in the Senate bill are too weak, and has threatened to vote against the plan if it isn't changed. His amendment to adopt the strict prohibitions passed by the House was defeated.
From CNN Politics
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Funny how there is only ONE dem that actually thinks it is important to read the bill.
Why you Dems in such a hurry.
Why cant you read it first.
I thought the transparency president said ALL bills would have 72 hours to be read after they are completed and presented.
The Dems want a vote but they dont want anyone to read it.
That is just garbage.
It is a bad bill.
the unborn need to thank sen nelson and casey... from the other butchers in the senate... how can they complain about people who die who dont have health insurance and then allow abortions not to effect them ,,,, unbelieveable....
Oh, great. Like this bill wasn't already DOA with the vast majority of us. The tea party loonies because they hate anything that they think is left wing and those of us on the left because it's a pile of republican poo at this point with garbage thrown up by Republi-Dems like Nelson. I can no longer support this bill at all in it's present form. I'm writing to my Senators and asking them to withdraw their support for it. It's horrendous thanks to the likes of Lieberman and Nelson and Baucus. To think so many Democrats could be such total traitors to the base of the party. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I'm against abortion. But every time I read some of the comments from some of my fellow republicans, I have to reconsider my beliefs on it.
After reading todays comments from some fellow republicans, It becomes evident that abortion is a necessary evil to reduce the number of idiots that make the rest of us republicans look bad. I guess I'm all for late term abortions if they begin spewing the cowardly conspiracy theories, rather then facts, that some of these retards make a habit out of quoting.
Long live Ben Nelson and Joe Liberman. God forbid you have the responsibility to represent the state that elected you and not the Socialist, I mean the DNC. May freedom reign, and Socialism die.
It is a sign of the pathetic state of our political health when a fringe minority can attempt to deny the rest of society a choice to access a LEGAL medical procedure.
Nelson, Lieberman, and the ENTIRE [R] congressional cabal need to have their political careers aborted.
It is a testament to the LIBERAL nature of our constitution that rightwing dimwits are even allowed to partake in our political system.
It is a testament to the broad nature of the [D] party that a few such dimwits are under its tent.
It is a testament to the decaying state of our country that the dimwitted rightwing underbelly of this nation can completely dominate the [R] party, and it can still be viable politically.
Our system of governance depends on the populace being informed, yet we have ~1/2 of the populace, and an entire political party, proudly identifying with purposeful ignorance and rightwing ideological delusion.
If the state of this country has ever been closer to that of Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, I don't know when that would have been.
You have to hand it to Republicans. They went after this bill in a myriad of ways, using many different people screaming about many different issues, real or imagined, and they have managed to give us a pile of s*** instead of any worthwhile health care reform. The funny part is, were it not so sad, the parts of the bill that would have contained costs and made insurance companies honest is what they were maddest about, and those parts are gone. So our rates will continue to rise; people will continue to be denied coverage, and more people will die. But by golly, the insurance giants are protected (gotta let them create those there jobs) and abortion will be all but banned....nice work, conservatives. And you have the nerve to call Obama fascist? You are intent on overturning a Supreme Court decision without ever entering a courtroom (hey, it got Bush elected) and are screaming about your stupid constitutional right to bear arms. What about MY right to live by the laws of the land? You guys and gals are turning this country into a theocracy all by yourselves. amazing...maybe there DOES need to be a revolution...by progressives. We need to take our country back from these nuts.
Is abortion illegal?
The repubs will use any wedge available to divide and conquer.
The dems would be well served to learn how to exploit our differences to their benefit. And the beauty of it all is the dems are bringing all this on themselves.
We won't get health care reform because the dems can't walk in lockstep with their party members.
What a gross, political mismanagement by the dems.
While I agree with the dem platform, as a party they are pathetically incompetent. The tent is just too big. Repubs have few defining rules, but they are rules that can not be broken under any circumstances.
one senator that is holding up the whole process who feels that he has the sole right to tell a woman how to choose. he ought to be castrated.
I'm not for abortion but I think it is so hypocritical for those who are against abortion have no problem denying many the right to healthcare that could save lives. A life is precious at any age or costs.
I loved the way that everyone is on pins and needles about Ben Nelson and how he is going to vote. He is going to vote for the Health Care Reform bill. This is all an act to fool the people from his state into believing he really held out. All these blue dogs will in the end show their true color which is yellow.
Men, abortions, laws preventing abortions. As soon as men are FORCED to be fathers, then I will support a no abortion approach. From what I see in this world, women have babies and either raise them or abandon them and live with the consequences. I still see far too many men's faces on posters as deadbeat dads...good luck ever forcing a man to be a father.
Some people say that we are trying to RUSH this legislation through. After FORTY years of debating health care reform, and getting no where, these little retards think we are RUSHING.
Those same mental midgets are the same morons that need the bill to be read TO them, since they themselves are too incompetent to read it themselves.
Republicans: The surest sign that the intelligence level in america is on the decline. Bad in math AND reading.
ps: Just wanted to give a shout out to Matt in Detroit. Hey hey man, hope you don't think FORTY FRICKEN years is rushing. That would make you an embarrassment to your family. Last time I checked, FORTY YEARS in discussion is a pretty long time, yea man, it really is, wipe that astonished look off your face.
What if everybody who vehemently opposed abortion, sign up to adopt a baby that would have otherwise been born to a welfare life. Let's see how fast they would sign up, or not.
Well Senator Nelson, here's your choices:
1) Vote for this boondoggle bill and then polish up your resume cause you're gonna need it or
2) Vote against the bill and celebrate your re-election.
Stay out of my uterus, as, I stay out of your "stuff."
Another one, like Lieberman, that should be kicked out of office
Who says the they haven't read the bill. I have read most of it (as it was last week), but the republicans keep trying to amend it so that it is constantrly changing. They just want to kill the bill. It isn't that difficult to read if the republicans would just leave it alone instead of trying to dismantle it. It needs to be passed. The GOP can only see the dollar signs from the insurance company lobbyists, but health care reform doesn't pass soon (with some sort of public option) we will all be seeing the dollar signs as the insurance companies continue to pick our pockets, and costs will only continue to sky-rocket out of control. Put the public option back in the bill and pass it. I know there are ways to do this without Lieberman, who has been so obviously been bought out.
Given: 1) The majority of Americans are against the health care bill, 2) the majority of Americans are opposed to even higher deficits, 3) the majority of Americans are opposed to higher health care costs, 4) the majority of Americans are opposed to higher taxes, 5) the majority of Americans are opposed to lower quality health care, 6) the majority of Americans are concerned about an exodus of doctors, 7) senior citizens are extremely concerned about the reduced care they will receive, 8) the majority of Americans don't like liars, and 9) much more....
Then: Why do our elected representatives so cavalierly ignore the peoples' opinions, wants and desires?
It can't be because they want to keep their jobs.
I don't want to fight over the legality of abortion I just don't want my tax dollars to pay directly or indirectly for it. That seems like a very fair compromise. Private people can get private abortions with private money, keep the government out of it. In fact, frankly I'd keep the government out of healthcare as much as possible. There are definitely people who are in need, but most people (90% of people) who are on medicare, medicaid, welfare, food stamps, public housing etc etc could be and should be working. It is time to stop taxing the hard working folks to give free stuff to lazy folks.
Abortion terminates the lives of unborn children. I don't want my tax dollars to subsidize health insurance policies that include abortion services.
My understanding is that this is how Medicaid and the health insurance system for federal employees currently works - as per the Hyde Amendment.
If people want to have abortions, they should pay for them out of their own pocket.
I don't want a system where my tax dollars subsidize up to 99.9% of a policy, and the recipient has to pay only one dollar more a month to have abortion services included.
Unfortunately, when it comes time to vote, the Dimwits will vote party line against the will of their constituency for a piece of garbage bill! And all the things that were 'taken out" of the bill in Senate will be put back in for the final vote. These thieves are blatantly dishonest and should all be tried for treason!
Bob Nelson, Joe Lieberman and co. clearly shows that the Senate has become an esoteric country club whose members have nothing in common with the everyday lives of the average Joe in the USA. Their positions on issues tend to be dictated by extraneous concerns such as which industry is contributing the most to their senate campaign funds and personal ideological preferences.
Senator Nelson's concern on abortion is already taken care of by the fact that federal funds cannot be used on abortions but yet still Bob Nelson wants to make an issue out of funding for abortion.
Joe Lieberman was more concerned about how many so-called liberals were supporting the Medicare-buy-in program and therefore he had to get publicity by opposing it despite the fact he supported it barely three months ago. It is time for voters to throw these 'same old politicians' out of office.
Abortion is a smoke screen. Senator Nelson is just looking for a reason to join the little puppy dogs following along behind such morons as Harry Reid and the socialist democrats.
Senator Nelson, distinguish yourself in the senate by being a man of intelligence and integrity. Spending tax payer money on abortion doesn't come close to squandering trillions and selling the country to the Chinese.
The bill clearly says in cases of rape, incest, and threat to mother's life, you would be covered. What more do you want?
Abortions are legal, and available to you, should you want one, HOWEVER, it should be the exception and not the rule. I'm pretty sure that using a vacuum to suck out a fetus and then scraping your uterus clean of any remains can't be too good for you. Why would you want to have more then one?
There are many great contraceptives out there that are 99.9% effective. Plus, the average abortion is $500. The average cost of the pill for a whole year is $240 ($20/monthly).
It's cheaper to avoid the unwanted pregnancy all together.
Don't Quit, That's What The GOP Wants! Keep Working At It. Change Doesn't Come Easy At Times ! Look At The Republican Party., Still Nearly 99.5 % White Americans After 140+ years!
Perhaps he should review Roe v. Wade while he's at it.
Where do these so-called Democrats come from? As if those who are trying to enable more people to have adequate, affordable health care aren't already confronted with enough ruthless opposition from the insurance industry - and the Republicans they have in their pockets.
Senators who will stoop to using such a divisive issue a abortion (which they probably care little or nothing about one way or the other) for their own selfish purposes are a long shot from being worthy to serve the public.
What's in the compromise proposal? At least what's the aspect that seems encouraging to Sen. Nelson? Some substance please!
or Nelson votes NO and Obamacare is dead.
This is politics as its finest. This process, the delays, deal-making, iron triangles, artificial deadlines and agendas, pandering to interest groups, and the like have served us very very well for a couple hundred years. Let the system work. It's slow, it's jaded, it's perplexing but it beats the living heck out of any of the alterntatives that I'm aware of. From chaos comes order, and that's just the nature of things.
Abortion is the law of the land, but I'm personally against it as a means of birth control. I'm also against my tax dollars being spent on the ill-conceived wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, too, where Americans and innocent Iraqis and Afghans are dying everyday, not to mention the drain on our country's treasury. If abortion was outlawed how many politicians and American people would be willing to pay higher taxes to support expensive government programs to pay for the extra hundreds of thousands if not millions of single moms with non-aborted children needing financial aid for health, clothing, food, education, etc, etc. Therefore, if the pro-life movement got its wish and had abortion outlawed they better be prepared to financially support the moms and children in need because pro-life shouldn't end with bringing children into the world it's also about caring for those children through adulthood and not discarding them.
Since when do we allow a special interest group in Nebraska to hold the entire country hostage?
I think Nelson needs to go. If he can't think without the special interest group telling him how, maybe he should just give it up.
NEBRASKA – YOU CAN DO BETTER !!!!!
Now let's let this white christian man control women's health. What god gave this white christian man all of this power?
I guess Senator Nelson is not allowed to think for himself. How about also sending the section in question to the pro-choice organizations?
"We have had plenty of time to read the bill. Stop the talking points."
Completely wrong. No one has seen the Reid bill. He wasn't going to show it to anyone until it was scored by the CBO.
You don't even have a clue what you are supporting. You just nod you're little liberal head "yes" to anything Obama says.
Nelson has tried every trick he can to destroy Health Care Reform.
Now he is trying to shove his religious beliefs down the throat of
every American.
The bill that stands does not allow payment for abortion and he
realizes that. He so enjoys his showboating, personal gains that he while grabbing all the attention is trying to tell women what they can
and cannot do with their own private funds.
We most certainly do not need politicians such as this.
Sen. Ben Nelson .......IS A DEMOCRAT. Not a republican.
You libs can't even get it straight when it's right in front of you.
We have not been debating health care for forty years. It becomes a issue when the politicians think that they may loose congressional seats.
We have not had time to read the bill because the bill that will be vote on has not been released yet.
Most of the repos will go home and not even hear the bill. Just another wingnut ploy to stop what is best for the American peolpe. As for abortion. Why don't they let the women decide and but out. All these christian right wing ols men. Most of them don't mind screwing around then act like abortion is so bad. How many kids do they have hidden out?
It is a a terrable bill that cuts no healthcare costs!!! It only increases them...taxes us into oblivion.... increases the national debt and bankrupts the country!!! The country is broke and keeps printing money!!! It is fiscal insanity and creates more problems than it solves!!Start over and take small steps as we cannot afford the government we already have!!!
"It is a sign of the pathetic state of our political health when a fringe minority can attempt to deny the rest of society a choice to access a LEGAL medical procedure."
They are not illegal. You can get them all you want. There are even free clinics. Knock yourself out.
The MAJORITY of this country does not think the government should be paying for it....you're the fringe.
NO tax dollars for murdering babies!! Even if Rahm 'dead fish' Emanuel threatens Mr. Nelson with closing the strategic base in SE Nebraska. If dead fish tries to do that he is putting jeopardy the safety of the USA.
Some how that seems like emanuel is breaking a law.
I say read the bill. I also say that every member of the Senate has to stay for the whole time to finish reading the amendment. Allow bathroom breaks and food breaks but that is it. If you leave you are disqualified from voting on the bill.
Survival of the fittest!!
Call their bluff!!
Nelson will fold like the rest of the principle less Dem's. He has been threatened by Chicago thug Obummie who will close Nebraska's Air Force base if he don't play ball with him. If Nelson has a spine, he will tell Obummie to take a flying leap.
Men have no say in abortion. Since they cannot get pregnant they should be allowed no say. Let the sitting women in the senate decide that issue.
So now Nelson is the authority on abortion, heathcare, women's sexuality... etc.
1) Without a public option nothing will stop the insurance companies as business as usual. This is a waste of time at this point.
2) I thought this was a democracy where all citizens votes mattered. Obviously the only votes that matter are the insurance lobby in Lieberman's pocket and the new proposed American religion that Nelson is proposing we all must follow.
3) Since my vote no longer counts I'm free to no longer participate as a citizen. We are no longer a democracy when two people control what happens to the rest.
Just think of it if they won't allow any abortion than population of USA is going to be ..............one Billion with in no time.
Considering that the funds drafted by the checks I write for my monthly health insurance premiums are comingled with all other plan members, I can be assured that some portion of the funds are paid out for abortion services. Save the GOP's move, I've yet to observe a wholesale dumping of providers/plans that cover abortion services by those embracing an anti-abortion position. A curuious observation suggesting that many of my GOP brothers and sisters prefer to hang on to the policies they have rather than change providers and consequently endure a 180-day pre-existing condition period. So much for their commitment to their values.
WE have not had time to REID........ the bill as it has all been done behind closed doors among only a FEW cowardly liberals have even seen the whole thing and just when there is a debate starting, they sneak behind closed doors again FACT.
Your heroes want to pass anything even though your premiums are going up, fees are running through the bill for crutches, walkers and wheelchairs, sorry sheep again FACT.
I hope you like paying for nothing as that is all you will be doing for 4-5 years and THEN the bill kicks in, NOTHING for something, typical dumb liberal think...........
Please pass this, I will be with the 60 percent MAJORITY throwing your tails out in 2010 and uh, uh, uh, uh Barry in 2012.
I wonder if Senator Nelson will have in the health reform bill that No Man will be allowed to have his insurance to pay for Viagar(sp). Bet he would change his little game.
Are abortions really that expensive? I don't know. Just take it out of there. I need my free healthcare now!!!
Yep, health care for millions of Americans hinges on the whims of Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman.
The compromise looks much better now that Nelson has to choose between voting for healthcare and keeping the Air Force base in Neb. open or vote against healthcare and Obama close the Air Force base. Just a little threat from Obama.
And that is the way politics works in Ill. Do as you are told or pay.
What happening in Congress is downright disgraceful! It truly scares me to witness the antics of those who are regarded as intellects. The bipartisan is outrageous. The Repubs are... well a joke and lets face it nothing more than elected lobbyists chasing the wrong causes and lining their hipocrical pockets with $$$l The Dems, although truly humanitarians need to get some backbone and stand up to the Repub bullies. To the politicians... Boys and girls this is not the school yard. Recess is over! And... people, don't believe the polls. Where do they come from anyway? Don't let people tell you how to think. Don't be gullible. You have so much to loose here. Beware of the bullies in the 10K suits. Trust Obama. Clear your mind! Think... Think.. think..
There is a section in the bill for an excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery. Include an excise tax for elective abortions.
They can change the abortion language to read that "not one cent will ever be spent on abortion again" and Nelson will not support health care reform. He is owned by the insurance cartel. The bill shouldn't pass anyway because the it has been stripped of everything that would benefit the American people. The two-faced behavior that our politicians have displayed during this entire farce is nothing short of DISGUSTING.
With Dems like these (Lieberman, Nelson & co) who needs Republicans... Trying to turn health care, saving lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year, into a zealous Abortion fight is just shameful.
Let the GOP read it out loud! None of my tax dollars for murdering babies.
"Anti-Abortion Democrat"?? These people make me sick! Get your heads out of your hymnals and your misogynist laws off women's bodies once and for all! This is a SECULAR society, whether Anti-Women politicians like it or not. Abortion is a LEGAL RIGHT in this country whether they like it or not. Get over yourselves and move on!
someone should abort all the right wing repo nut jobs. See they make a good case why abortion should remain legal in this country. For the guy who wants the Dems to read the bill. Most of us are smart enough so it wouldn't take 24 hours to read it. Maybe they are using the time to draw pictures so palin and some of the representitives can understand it.
I love how people are called anti-abortion on CNN. Do they call the people that are for abortion, anti-life?
Look, I am pro-life, but realize that abortion is legal. That does not mean that taxpayers should fund abortions just because a mistake was made. I am for funding birth control methods like condoms and birth control pills, but not abortion for sake of birth control only. Now if an abortion is needed because of rape or incest, then I understand. But I do not want my money to pay for an abortion just because a woman accidentally got pregnant and feels that a baby would not be for the best at the moment. That's called irresponsibility on both the man and woman's part.
I bet all you people that are for abortions are glad you weren't aborted so that you can now be pro-abortion. Glad you had the chance to live.
What are you waiting for? Reconcile it already.
I think these senators showing their prissy butt prancing around are gonna get a big big surprise in the PRIMARIES and they won't be running again. The public is sick and darn tired of their taitics...
THe government has had 100 years to "think about" universal health insurance. TR first brought it up. Every twenty years or so since TR it comes up, the health insurance industry goes totally nuts, spreads alot of dreck around and proves once again that if you tell a lie often enough, people will think it's truth.
Just read the moronic comments posted here by otherwise intelligent people.
STOP THE MADNESS......
Since when is passing a sub-standard bill better than nothing. Obama just wants to pass something so that he can say he did something this year with the "Do Nothing" Democrat majority Congress. Good Job guys!!! What a waste of "HOPE"!
If we did this in our jobs, assuming we have jobs! (Oh yeah, wait a minute, isn't unemployment around 10%...Hmmmm!), would we get FIRED? It's time to FIRE THEM ALL!!!! NO INCUMBENTS!!!!!
Let's start a positive revolution. NO MORE CAREER POLITICIANS. What would the lobbyists and the special-interest do then? Oh wait a minute...join the unemployed.
GIVE GOVERNMENT BACK TO THE PEOPLE THE WAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS ENVISIONED!!!!!!!
YOU ARE ON NOTICE: RESIGN OR BE FIRED IN NOVEMBER 2010!!!!
Have a look at an abortion at 12 to 15 weeks on a 3D ultrasound then get back to me with your inane talking points . Abortions in the U.S. are legal up to 28 weeks and performed in some states up to 40 weeks.
I am female and believe abortion should be legal up to about 12 weeks and severely restricted after. Except in the case of rape and incest, women and men make the decision to have unprotected sex even though they know it can lead to pregnancy. This is not the fault of the child created. You can dance around the issue forever but abortion after a certain point should not be funded with tax dollars and it is plainly (again, check out that ultrasound) the torture and death of a tiny helpless human.
Can we start working on preventing unwanted pregnancies instead of expanding the funding of abortion? Can we start talking about being responsible for one's own actions?
So he's ok with 99% of the bill but won't vote yes b/c of 1 issue? God help those that will still be unable to afford health insurance in the coming years (iiiifff Republicans gain majority, do people really think they'll even address healthcare? If they did, they still wouldn't have enough votes to pass it)
Well Well I am from Georgia andI am for voting all OUT!!
They have been thee way too long. Get rid of em next term. out out out
I mean . All of allouttt. out out
I am a WW2 veteran and I relise that what I fought for that a bunch of sleezy poly tics have messed up this country.
I fought in Europe for our freedoms and now Bastards in Washington are trying to flush down the drain our victory over imperialism.
I have 30 voting relatives that will do likewise.
I was an official in Washington DC in the 60s my office overlooked over the House. I watched the femalesdrive up to pick up their boy friend.
Now its worser worser worser. You ge my message!!!!!!!!!
Abortion is murder! Or in liberal thinking its wrong to waterboard people who want to hurt our loved ones but its ok to kill babies! Keep on killing you worthless people you all are a waste of oxygen. Karma, think all you abortion supporters will find out what that's about in your afterlife! Good luck to all of you! Have a nice day!