Years ago, in her New York Times bestseller Godless, Ann Coulter wrote that liberalism was a religion and its sacrament was abortion. Coulter explained, in her characteristically acerbic tone, that liberals would defend abortion-on-demand before all other principles. Liberals scoffed at the notion then, but it now seems to have been proven true. If health care reform fails to pass the House, it will be because of the Democrats’ insistence on including federal funding for abortions. Fox News reports:
The health care reform bill passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve appears to be dead on arrival in the House, as six anti-abortion Democrats intend to join the ranks of lawmakers who plan to vote against the legislation, Fox News has confirmed.
Six new no votes would be enough to kill the Senate bill, and several more fence-sitting lawmakers are under pressure from both sides of the aisle.
Foremost among the six nos is Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., whose anti-abortion amendment to the House version of the legislation got the bill passed in that chamber last year.
In addition to Stupak, Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois has gone on the record as changing his vote to no if asked to pass the Senate bill, which some argue doesn't do enough to forbid tax-funded abortions. "Protecting the sanctity of life is a matter of principle," Lipinski said.
Stupak claims there are even more representatives willing to vote no if the abortion language is not changed. Political analyst
Michael Barone thinks
the arithmetic “doesn't add up.” He writes:
The House passed its version of the health bill in November by 220-215. Of those 220, one was a Republican who now is a no. One Democrat who voted yes has died, two Democrats who voted yes have resigned, and one Democrat who voted no has resigned as well. So if everyone but the Republican votes the way they did four months ago, the score would be 216-215.
But not everyone is ready to vote that way. The House bill included an amendment prohibiting funding of abortions sponsored by Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. The Senate bill did not. Mr. Stupak says he and 10 to 12 other members won't vote for the Senate bill for that reason. Others have said the same, including Minnesota's James Oberstar, chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Dan Lipinski, a product of the Chicago Democratic machine.
Mrs. Pelosi may have some votes in reserve—members who would have voted yes if she needed them in November and would do so again. But we can be pretty sure she doesn't have more than 10, or she wouldn't have allowed the Stupak amendment to come forward at the last minute the first time. She also might get one or two votes from members who voted no and later announced they were retiring.
But that's not enough…
To be sure, Pelosi maintains that she has the votes necessary to pass the bill and, to date, she has proven to be startlingly effective at squeezing every last drop of political capital from the rank-and-file House Democrats.
Whatever the outcome, it will be excruciatingly close. Conservatives should not let their guard down and maintain pressure on these pro-life Democrats to keep their word to uphold the sanctity of life.
Please contact their offices and let them know you support them!
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) (202) 225-4636
Rep. Joe Donnnelly (D-IN) (202) 225-3915
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) (202) 225-5315
Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH) (202) 225-3876
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) (202) 225-4231
Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) (202) 225-6131
Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA) (202) 225-3731
Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) (202) 225-4711
The leg work is done, all you need to do is take a few minutes from your day and call these numbers. Please let these representatives know you support them for their stand on the sanctity of life. If these representatives cave at the last second, Obamacare will be passed and federal funding will be allotted for abortions. Please call!!!
