Pro-Life Democrats Enabled Passage Of Health Care Bill

Jillian Bandes | November 07, 2009 11:28 PM

Thirty-two Democrats oppose the thing, but Pelosi still has the 218 votes she needs to get it passed.

The biggest irony of the day is that after inserting pro-life language into the bill, Pelosi managed to secure the votes of pro-life Democrats to get it passed.

That means pro-life legislation was the only reason the bill was able to pass at all. From AP:

In the runup to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. They prevailed on a roll call of 240-194.
Ironically, that only solidified support for the legislation, clearing the way for conservative Democrats to vote for it.
Passage would clear the way for a Senate debate expected to begin in several days.