By FITSNews || A coalition of pro-life Democrats in Washington struck a deal with the White House on Sunday afternoon – a major development that all but assures passage of President Barack Obama’s $2.5 trillion socialized medicine proposal.
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) and several other pro-life Democrats originally opposed to the legislation now say they will vote “yes” in exchange for an executive order from Obama that affirms there will be no federal funding for abortion.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have an agreement,” Stupak told reporters Sunday. “We have assurances from the president and others that he will not rip this up tomorrow.”
Asked by reporters whether or not the agreement puts Democrats over the 216-vote threshold needed for passage, Stupak said “we’re well past 216.”
Details of the executive order – which will not be issued until after the House votes on Sunday – were not immediately available. The White House communications office merely said that the order would include “additional safeguards to ensure that the status quo is upheld and enforced.”
Obama was quickly pilloried by pro-choice groups, including the National Organization of Women (NOW).
“The message we have received today is that it is acceptable to negotiate health care on the backs of women,” a statement from the organization said. “President Obama campaigned as a pro-choice president, but his actions today suggest that his commitment to reproductive health care is shaky at best.”
Meanwhile, pro-life supporters also ripped the compromise as changing “nothing.”
“It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill,” a statement from the National Right to Life Committee reads. “The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an order, and the federal courts will enforce what the law says.”
By No Name March 21, 2010 at 5:20 pm
For the record Rachael Maddow called this exactly right a week ago…called him a C Street publicity gimp who once he got the max face time would cave.
By Ynotfirst March 21, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Ditto… a C Streeter like Sanfraud
By No Way! March 21, 2010 at 8:09 pm
He goes home in November just like the rest! We gave him the opportunity to make the right decision.
By Truth Seeker March 21, 2010 at 9:37 pm
No Way, you are living in a la la land dream world.
By countryboy March 21, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Unfortunately, even if the Democrats lose the majority in both houses of Congress, the Republicans won’t likely gain enough seats to overide an Obama veto. Therefore, even if the Republicans try to throw out the healthcare law after next Jan. Obama will simply veto. So we will be stuck with the Democrat law until Obama is voted out of office, or, impeached.
By The Colonel March 22, 2010 at 4:09 am
“A coalition of pro-life Democrats” is the same thimg as a herd of unicorns – a myth.
I guess we can hope the Senate still has some sense left (insert comment about “herd of unicorns” here…)
By Another Opinion March 22, 2010 at 8:06 am
No abortion is the ideal. So is a “perfect” world, however perfect is defined.
I agree with this decision, as a moderate. People have got to meet in the middle. Or they can debate the issue forever & get nowhere.