Sen. Ben Nelson, considered the long holdout blocking progress on the Democrats' health care overhaul bill, Thursday rejected a compromise on federal funding of abortion that's stymied the legislation for days.
Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., had been trying to broker a deal with Nelson, an ardent abortion opponent. Casey proposed new efforts at curbing teen pregnancy and tax help for adoptive parents.
Nelson, D-Neb., told Lincoln, Neb. radio station KLIN that while "there's a lot of improvement," the "basic question of funding for abortion had not been fully answered yet."
As a result, he said, "right now, without further modification, it (Casey's plan) is not sufficient."
Casey said he would keep working to find common ground, and would not reveal what else he is considering. Nelson warned, though, that he had other concerns about the legislation, including the plan to impose excise taxes on high-end insurance policies.
Nelson's vote is badly needed, because Democrats believe 59 senators support cutting off extended debate on the health care bill, one short of the needed number.
Yes, it is too bad that all Dems are not Jeffersons, Adams and Franklins who truly work for the people, but we have to work with what we have at the moment, take stock of this and work harder for true Jeffersons, and Washingtons and Franklins to be elected in the future. They will come... As for now, I have not given up on Pres. Obama, for I have not given up on what is good! He is fighting old, intrinsic and entrenched patterns of greed which will not die easily or go quietly into the night. He is however planting the seeds for their destruction. Take Heart!
POSITIVE EXERCISE: Sit quietly, focus in the third eye, link up with your Soul (the soul is light/love and always works for the good of all) and visualize health care reform As passed, implemented into law with a public option -- for energy always follows thought!
Posted by: Angellight | December 17, 2009 at 03:22 PM