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Ben Nelson rejects abortion compromise
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by Hugh Askew | December 17, 2009 at 11:49 am
359 views | 46 Recommendations | 17 comments
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In an interview today, Senator Ben Nelson told KLIN radio in Lincoln, Nebraska, that he will not vote for the Senate Health Care bill as it now stands.
Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, said in the interview that new compromise language on abortion funding is unacceptable.
Nelson's statement could come as a major blow to Harry Reid’s effort to line up 60 votes for the health care vote. Nelson has previously said he would filibuster the Senate version of the bill unless it mirrored the abortion language included in the House bill.
Even if abortion is addressed to his satisfaction, “that is not enough” for Nelson commit to voting for the bill, he said.
HOST: “You’ve been very clear that you do not like the idea of federal funding going towards abortions. You provided the amendment that did not pass muster with the Senate. Is that the single issue right now—if that were changed, would that be enough, right now, for you to go along with the bill?”
NELSON: “No. There are other substantive issues…”
…
HOST: “But if the abortion issue is taken care of to your satisfaction, whether it be some kind of compromise that is to your satisfaction, would that be enough for you to vote for cloture and go forward?”
NELSON: “No.”
HOST: “That’s not enough alone?”
NELSON: “That’s not enough.”
…
NELSON: “A deadline and a timeline that’s out there that is not achievable isn’t helpful. I can’t tell you that they couldn’t come up with something that would be satisfactory on abortion between now and [Christmas], and solve all the other issues that I’ve raised to them. But I don’t see how.”
…
HOST: “Senator, we gotta let you go, but I want you to bottom line this for our listeners. As of right now, the way things stand right now, you would not vote cloture on this bill.”
NELSON: “That’s correct. On cloture on the motion to end debate. I voted for cloture on the motion to begin debate and I said at the time, and I’m following through on that, if … it’s not at the point where I think it needs to be with the improvements that I’m pushing, and they’ve made a lot of them, then I will not vote for cloture on the motion to end debate.”
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Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Recommendations (46)
Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
Susan Marie Kovalinsky
Ledgewood, New Jersey, United States
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States
cassy82
Miami, Florida, United States
Rosie
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
snuffysmith
Washington D.C., D.C., United Statescaj1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (17)
at 12:11 on December 17th, 2009
I don't know, it might just be me, but......this guy doesn't look like he ever had the need - or will have - to make a choice on abortion based on a personal and immediate need.....so why does he, or any of his type, even get a vote?
at 12:17 on December 17th, 2009
I'll leave that to the others in the same situation to decide......the American public.
Will say, though, that Nelson has been consistent in his stance throughout his elected career.
at 12:41 on December 17th, 2009
What are these other substantive issues? Is he looking for a lifetime supply of badgers, or is it beavers?
at 12:46 on December 17th, 2009
Yes.
at 13:07 on December 17th, 2009
With an answer like that, you should run for office!
at 13:09 on December 17th, 2009
Well, I may know how to waffle, but haven't got the groveling nor the dissembling down to an art yet. Give me time........
at 13:57 on December 17th, 2009
You left out the art of picking peoples pockets.
at 14:54 on December 17th, 2009
I reject Ben Nelson for utter ineptness.
at 15:09 on December 17th, 2009
I reject Ben Nelson for the same reason I rejected Trent Lott: They hunted wolverines together and used the skins for hairpieces.
at 15:58 on December 17th, 2009
Fool! Those were badgers!
at 16:17 on December 17th, 2009
Wolverines, badgers, beavers, what's the difference. (Don't answer, I know.) I've been asked to send this link to Senator Nelson's office to make him re-consider.
For Your Listening and Viewing Pleasure, Thers . . .
at 19:42 on December 17th, 2009
Is Nelson going against the wishes of Americans who elected him?Didn't he eloborate and articulate his views on this subject before he got elected?If yes,then he is fair enough to oppose and vote against the bill;if not,then he should resign and seek re-election.
at 19:46 on December 17th, 2009
See my reply to stejeb above. Nelson is keeping his promises.
at 22:08 on December 17th, 2009
These days, I think it takes guts to stand up to the Dems in one's own party.
at 02:34 on December 18th, 2009
Why? There will be no consequences for Nelson and Lieberman. And remember, Lieberman is not a Democrat. He left the party after losing a primary challenge in Ct. The Democrats don't know how to play hardball. They don't have any balls.
at 14:27 on February 7th, 2010
My feelings - EXACTLY.