Aa the debate over the Stupak Amendment during the health care debate showed, the House of Representatives is anti-choice. That’s a depressing situation considering that the Democrats have a huge majority of the seats. Ironically, the Senate, which is more conservative than the House on most issues, is still pro-choice. That’s why Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois could successfully pass an amendment in the Senate Armed Services Committee to allow women to use their own money to pay for abortions in military hospitals (something which is currently banned). However, I doubt the provision will survive a conference with the House.
The Bishops will surely advise all Catholic Democrats that the fate of their soul is connected to their vote, and that the mere act of providing an abortion at a military facility, even when it is fully paid for in private funds, constitutes a government subsidy.
This is the same bill that will contain the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and it will be a tough fight to pass both of these progressive reforms.
