WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Anti-abortion groups say U.S. voters made their views clear in the midterm elections, and what they want is a total ban on federal funding for abortion.
Pro-choice groups disagree.
"The American public thought they were voting for an agenda that included a better economy and more jobs, and apparently what they're going to get is two abortion votes a week," Donna Crane of the National Abortion Rights Action League told The Hill.
The House plans to take up President Obama's healthcare plan in the coming week with a vote on repeal that was delayed after the shooting in Tucson that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. The vote is likely to be symbolic since repeal is unlikely to pass the Senate and certain to be voted by Obama if it does.
Language banning federal funds being used for abortion is already part of the healthcare plan, but Republicans say it needs to be stronger. They also want stronger "freedom of conscience" provisions for healthcare workers and providers.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the conservative Susan B. Anthony List, called abortion the "most egregious issue" in the healthcare plan.
"We made abortion funding the defining issue in the elections," she said.
