AP: Nelson Rejects Abortion Compromise
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has rejected abortion compromise language designed to win his support for Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health care reform bill, the Associated Press reported.Nelson, who opposes abortion rights, has vowed to filibuster the bill if it does not explicitly prohibit federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. The Nebraska Democrat’s amendment on the issue failed in a floor vote last week.According to the AP, Nelson on Thursday told a local Nebraska radio station that compromise language negotiated in part by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who also opposes abortion rights, was unacceptable.Nelson is seen as the last Democratic holdout for the package. Reid needs 60 votes to pass the health care package given the GOP’s unanimous opposition. Nelson said Wednesday that he has several problems with the bill beyond abortion.