Add One More to Thursday's Talks

The hottest ticket in town this week is an invitation to the President’s “bipartisan” Health Care Summit on Thursday. Unfortunately, there’s one key player in the health care debate who has not been offered a seat at the table – Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak from Michigan. Unborn children cannot speak for themselves, but President Obama can give them a voice in these negotiations if Mr. Stupak were present to speak up for his amendment.

The Stupak Amendment, which prevents federal funding to pay for abortions in the House’s Health Care reform bill (H.R. 3200), passed the House with strong bipartisan support, receiving 240 votes. However, it is not included in the Senate bill.

A survey by both CNN and Quinnipiac University indicate that Congressman Stupak’s measure has broad support among the American people. Congressman Stupak would represent both the majority of Congress and the majority of Americans who believe federal dollars should not be used to pay for abortions.

Republican Minority Leader John Boehner sent a letter today to President Obama asking for him to include Congressman Stupak in the meeting. See the letter here.

If the President is genuine in his intent to include the will of the people in these talks, the right to life can not be overlooked.