Abortion Amendment Rejected

Today in the Senate, the amendment to the health care bill regarding abortion was rejected. There is an increase of restrictive language on abortion compared to last month if the Senate health bill is approved. This amendment was introduced by Senator's Ben Nelson and Orrin Hatch, it lost with a 54-45 vote. After the movement lost the Senate agreed to table, or kill it, meaning it can no longer be up for consideration. The amendment would have made restrictions more intense by increasing the limitations of federal funding for abortion.

Since it was rejected, the bill will not change, meaning no abortions may be paid for by federal funding except in the cases of incest, rape, or if the pregnancy is life threatening. In the article, Senator Hatch expressed Americans strong opposition to this bill by saying, "Taxpayers should not be called upon to pay for abortion." Each side of the debate has threatened to not pass the entire health bill depending on the outcome of this abortion issue. Hopefully they will find a way to balance between women's rights and not angering taxpayers.