Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Meagan Wiseley - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) applauded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act on Tuesday, but called the Stupak Amendment, which prohibits federal dollars from financing abortions, “regrettable.”

“I think many of us thought the right policy is to avoid coming down on one side or the other on the abortion issue and to handle health care reform as a separate issue... the Stupak Amendment tries to advance a particular view, and I think it’s regrettable,” Cardin said.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (R-Mich.), was added minutes before the House came to vote on final passage of the bill and prohibits the public option insurance plan from covering abortions. It would also prevent private insurance companies from offering abortion coverage to customers who receive government subsidies.

The Stupak Amendment passed with with a vote of 240-194, with 64 Democrats in favor.

Added Cardin, “Abortion is a very controversial issue with the American people...I will certainly prefer a bill that does not include the Stupak Amendment.”