Senate nixes healthcare abortion language

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate, on a 54-45 vote, Tuesday rejected an amendment that would have restricted abortion coverage in pending healthcare legislation.

The measure, offered by Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, would have barred federal funds from being used for abortions or for insurance plans that include abortion coverage.

The outcome -- a vote to table, or set aside, the amendment -- was expected, but could cost the support of Nelson, who has threatened to filibuster the $848 billion bill unless abortion restrictions are tightened, The Washington Post reported. It also calls into question whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can cobble together the 60 votes he needs to move and pass the bill.

Before the vote, Reid said he would consider other language to assuage Nelson's concerns.

"If in fact he doesn't succeed here, we'll try something else," Reid said.

Nelson also is working to establish an alternative to the public insurance option, and said he would continue to work with Reid and others on the overall bill.

"People are talking," he said before the abortion vote that took place late in the afternoon. "And that's usually a good thing."