Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) has reached a deal with House Democratic leadership on the abortion language in the health care reform bill.
Stupak, a pro-life Democrat, was one of the key holdouts on the bill, and as late as this morning told reporters that he controlled eight of the votes.
He just announced that he and the leadership have reached a deal on the bill’s abortion language, and he and several house Democrats will now vote “yes.”
Among those present with Stupak at the press conference are at least six other Democrats: Marcy Kaptur, Nick Rahall, Steve Driehaus, Kathy Dahlkemper, Alan Mollohan and Chris Carney.
He said that though he always supported health care reform, “there was a principle that meant more to use than anything, and that was the sanctity of life.”
Stupak continued: “There has been some question raised by different groups, that in this health care reform package, that somehow some way, the abortions could be performed at the community health centers. The President’s executive order makes it very clear that will not happen.”
He added: “We’re well past 216.”
White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer released a statement on the abortion compromise, saying that “the President is grateful for the tireless efforts of leaders on both sides of this issue to craft a consensus approach that allows the bill to move forward.”
Full text of the statement and Obama’s executive order is here.
