Stupak Holding Firm; Polls Support His Position

From our own Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan comes word that Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mi) is holding very firm on his position to vote against Obamacare unless his language excluding abortion coverage is adopted. And, he has 10-12 Democrats standing firmly with him. This information came to Ryan in a private conversation with Stupak.

Obamacare passed the House by a slim 220-215 margin. Ryan was asked if the 10-12 pro-life Democrats were in addition to the 39 Democrats who voted against the bill. “Yes,” said Ryan, “so my assumption is right now they’re trying to replace those votes.” The Dem leadership would have to sway 7-9 of the 39 who initially voted against Obamacare to undermine Stupak and his pro-life colleagues. In addition, Republican Congressman Anh Cao from Louisiana who originally voted for Obamacare says he will vote no if abortion funding is in the final version.

Buttressing Stupak’s position is a new Quinnipiac University poll which found that a whopping 67% of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortions. The survey question was: “Do you support or oppose allowing abortions to be paid for by public funds under a health care reform bill?” While 67% oppose, only 27% support. Men oppose the funding 65%-29% and women 68%-26%.

Too close for comfort with the lives of so many unborn babies on the line.

Barbara Lyons