Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and President Obama talk after the signing of the jobs bill. AP Photo Charles Dharapak
Throughout the health care debate Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) has played key role in determining the fate of the reform bill. Rep. Stupak is fervently opposed to any kind of federal funding for abortion and has pledged to oppose any legislation which would increase public funding for the procedure.
Many Democrats have argued that the Senate bill merely keeps the current law which prohibits federal funds from being directly used to fund abortions. However Stupak has his suspicions to the contrary and wants even more restrictive language than what is currently in the bill.
Rep. Stupak (D-MI) is important because as many as 12 Representatives called the "Stupak bloc" generally vote with him based on their own "pro-life" views. Last time the House leadership had to negotiate a deal with Stupak to gain passage of reform but Speaker Pelosi has said she is not allowing any Stupak amendments to be voted on this time.
Even though Rep. Stupak has vowed to vote against the current bill he does come from an overwhelmingly liberal district and may even get a primary challenge should he actually vote against the health care reform bill. Therefore Rep. Stupak has every incentive to find a way to vote for reform if he can in anyway do so consistently with his beliefs.
Today Rep. Stupak seems to have found that avenue to vote for reform. According to reports Rep. Stupak has reached an agreement with President Obama under which the President will sign an Executive Order clarifying restrictions on abortion funding. The real effect of the Executive Order is debatable as the Senate bill will be the controlling law over any Executive Order.
Still Rep. Stupak's support is important and all but assures that Democrats now have the 216 votes they need to pass the health care reform bill.
Comments
Now if they can just keep ignoring the Constitution, and the massive public opposition to the bill, they can enact the single greatest expansion of government authority (and reciprocal destruction of individual rights) in American history. Its a banner day for tyranny. Woohoo!
Now if they can just keep ignoring me, and the massive public opposition to the kooks like me, they can enact the second greatest expansion of government provided healthcare (and reciprocal destruction of insurance company rights) in American history. Its a banner day for the USA. Woohoo!
An EO is a useless piece of paper. If Stupak believes a man who has no compunction for lying, he is a fool.
And if the Senate moves no further?
Stan Transue says:
"...and reciprocal destruction of insurance company rights..."
really? REALLY??? you have the balls to cry for the scumbags' "rights" to fleece the public and determine who dies because they make more profits by denying coverage ALREADY PAID FOR??? you really cry for the insurance companies' rights to continue doing that to humans???? you are FOR the insurance companies' death panels???
Gee folks; I guess we're in kindergarten.
Some cowardly piece of s--t thinks its fun to post comments under my name; rephrasing my comments to twist their meaning. Obviously, this creature lacks the spine to confront me in an honest manner. I guess psuedonyms will become the norm in such a circumstance.
That is sad. Because it should be a good thing to have the courage to stand openly for one's convictions instead of hiding like a coward behind annonymity.
Its a classic example of the infamy to which some people will resort. Whoever it is -- you're a punk.
Walrus: congratulations on your victory.
Conservatives and Republicans today suffered their most crushing legislative defeat since the 1960s. It’s hard to exaggerate the magnitude of the disaster.
…We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat.
The Real Stan Transue says:
"Walrus: congratulations on your victory."
it isn't about a "victory"...I don't care for "the game", I only care for the people...if i had my druthers, I would have liked a unanimous vote.
it isn't about a "vice"...I don't "game the care", I only game the people...if i had my smuckers, I would have liked a animous boat.
you have balls to fleece because they make more coverage to continue doing that to death panels???
Walrus: conglomerations on your lickery.
As bad as it is, and this is really bad, it still beats having John McCain for president. The republicans were going to go down this road anyway only a little slower. You'll see come this November. The republicans will sweep the election, HCR will grow to become 10,000 pages of wealth transfers, the deficit will triple, you will be assigned a quality of life score, we will still be exporting debt and the government owns you.
Don't forget, Progressives have infected the republican party too. Republicans love to spend they just don't pay the bill.
Maybe we will have an xbox 360 game where you can pretend you are still a free and vibrant people. That's about as close to liberty as we will ever get. Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness on a computer game made in Japan.
At this time I would like to appologize to all the Japanese that I may have unintentionally offended by this reference.
Big Brother is watching!
Remember when letting women vote was going to destroy America?
Remember when social security was going to destroy America?
Remember when civil rights were going to destroy America?
Remember when medicare was going to destroy America?
This time it is for real. Healthcare reform is going to destroy America
previous comments by fake Klatoo. Fake Klatoo really likes me, wants to be me.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!