Abortion amendment stirs emotions in Senate floor speeches

Sen. Boxer at pro-choice rally last week AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

"We're hot and we're cranky!"  That statement by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD.) pretty much summed up the emotions of a number of legislators, as Senators took the floor Monday to further debate healthcare reform .  An abortion amendment offered by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and co-sponsored by nine of his male colleagues certainly lit a fire in a number of lawmakers.

Nelson's amendment mirrors the Stupak language included in the House healthcare reform legislation which prohibits federal funding of abortion services through any public or private plan.  Should a woman require coverage, she would have to purchase a separate abortion policy with her own private funds.  Many private plans currently cover abortion related procedures.  Sen. Mikulski, visibly angry with the amendment, said the very idea of having to purchase a rider for abortion coverage was not only demonizing but insulting to women.  She called the language discriminatory and said no woman ever plans on having an abortion.  "How about letting men buy an abortion rider for the women they get pregnant," Mikulski fumed.  "Maybe we'll give them a discount," she added.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) also gave an impassioned floor speech on Nelson's amendment and noted those who sponsored the language are all male.  Boxer questioned why her male colleagues didn't single out a procedure or drug used by men that involves their reproductive health.  The senior lawmaker pointed out there is nothing in the reform package denying coverage for Viagra, for example.  She concluded her remarks saying Nelson's amendment "would be the biggest rollback in a woman's right to choose in decades." 

Women weren't the only members who spoke out vociferously against the anti-abortion language.  Sens. Al Franken (D-MN) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) also appealed to their colleagues to vote it down.  "We cannot allow this amendment to set back women's health and distract from real healthcare reform," said Specter.

Nelson justified his amendment by citing polls that show Americans support banning the use of federal dollars for abortion related procedures.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also weighed in on the matter by sending a letter Monday afternoon to all Senators urging them to approve Nelson's anti-abortion language.  The Senate is scheduled to continue debate on Nelson's amendment and the rest of the healthcare reform bill Tuesday morning.