The Senate is set to begin debating the Nelson-Hatch amendment presently. Ben Nelson (D-Neb), in full nutter mode, is introducing legislation into the Senate Health Care bill that would essentially parallel the House's amendment offered by Stupak-Pitts.
From CBS:
Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Democrat from Nebraska, intends to introduce an amendment to the Senate health care bill that would add controversial abortion language similar to the Stupak amendment in the House bill, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen reports.
"I'm working on an amendment to bring Stupak language to the bill," Nelson said today, referencing an amendment added to the House health care bill by Reps. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Joe Pitts (R-Penn.).
The amendment restricts health insurance coverage for abortion and has raised the ire of abortion rights groups. A coalition of those groups are launching a "day of action" on Wednesday to lobby against the amendment.
I don't have much to offer in way of commentary; I just wanted to provide this open thread for those actually watching the debate unfold in the Senate.
Live coverage of the Senate is offered by CSPAN-2.
Following is the actual text of the bill, found at Nelson's website:
Purpose: To prohibit the use of Federal funds for abortions.
H. R. 3590
(a) Special Rules Relating to Coverage of Abortion Services.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), nothing in this Act (or any amendment made by this Act) shall be construed to require any health plan to provide coverage of abortion services or to allow the Secretary or any other person or entity implementing this Act (or amendment) to require coverage of such services.
(2) COMMUNITY HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION.—The Secretary may not provide coverage of abortion services in the community health insurance option established under section 1323, except in the case where use of funds authorized or appropriated by this Act is permitted for such services under subsection (b)(1).
(3) NO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF PROVISION OF ABORTION.—No Exchange participating health benefits plan may discriminate against any individual health care provider or health care facility because of its unwillingness to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.
(b) Limitation on Abortion Funding.—
You can read the full text by following the above link.
Very few think this amendment will actually garner 60 votes, so it is unlikely to pass. What will be interesting is to watch his reasoning, or sulking, as he takes this bill to the floor and argues in favor of it.
Nelson has threatened to torpedo the broader bill if his amendment isn't successful (surprise, another pouting princess masquerading as a senator).
David Waldman, over at Congress Matters, has a good rundown on what Nelson is up against with this amendment.