Nancy Pelosi Gets Angry, Calls Pro-Life Democrats Liars

No, she doesn't say it directly, but Bart Stupak has said he and a dozen other Democrats who voted yes the first time will vote no on the Senate health care bill because it provides taxpayer-funding for abortion. Today, at a press conference, Pelosi contradicted the factual claims made by Stupak and said there is no federal funding of abortion in the bill. Politico reports:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi got exasperated when asked at her weekly news conference about the unwillingness of some Democrats – including Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) – to support the health bill because of abortion language.

“Let me say this: This is not about abortion! This is a bill about providing quality, affordable health care for all Americans,” she said, more eager than ever to stay on message as her legacy becomes increasingly tied to what happens in the next few weeks.

The speaker had just talked about areas of disagreement between the House and Senate bills that are being worked on as leaders iron out legislative language for a comprehensive package that Congress can pass. But she omitted abortion.

“I will not have it turned into a debate on (abortion),” she said, when asked a follow-up question about Stupak. “Let me say it clearly: we all agree on the three following things. … One is there is no federal funding for abortion. That is the law of the land. It is not changed in this bill. There is no change in the access to abortion. No more or no less: It is abortion neutral in terms of access or diminution of access. And, third, we want to pass a health care bill.”

Speaker Pelosi is not telling the truth. The Hyde amendment--the "law of the land" banning federal funding for abortion in other programs--was left out of the Senate health care bill. The Senate bill includes three different provisions to spend taxpayer money on abortions.