The problem with last-minute legislation
March 16, 2010, 2:35 pm
Posted by Matthew Boudway
Nick Baumann, who covers national politics for Mother Jones (and is the son of Commonweal‘s editor, Paul Baumann), explains here why the Senate bill fails to explicitly apply the Hyde Amendment to the new funding for community health centers.
The pro-lifers are wrong. The Senate bill won’t lead to government directly funding abortions. But the Democrats screwed up. They could have easily prevented this particular line of attack. All it would have taken is a single line of text.
Now, that explanation of how it came about is really interesting and believable. My first reaction is, ‘fix the mistake.’ But the Senate can’t, because of Scott Brown. Or could they? Or maybe not, because he’s actually pro-choice and may not want to strengthen this provision? The head spins!
Great piece. Like father, like…
Jim,
They can’t because pro-life Republicans have pledged to block any move to “fix” the bill’s abortion provisions. Their priority is killing the bill, not extending Stupak to the exchanges or making sure Stupak-like restrictions apply to the CHC money. The decision for pro-abortion rights Republicans would be even easier…. they’d oppose “fixing” it on “choice” grounds and because they think it’s socialism.
Best,
NB
Thanks, David. People should read your excellent piece, too:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/11/the-senate-bill-funds-abortions-nope-and-its-more-pro-life-th/
Ah, Nick, they’ve already scorched me — your turn!