Stupak Caves

I’m pleased to announce we have an agreement,” Stupak said in a press conference, backed by other holdouts. The announcement came as the White House said President Barack Obama would issue an executive order ensuring no taxpayer funds are used to fund abortions.

"By Stupak’s own estimate, Democrats are now “well past” the 216 votes they need for passage. The agreement also brings aboard Democratic Reps. Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.), Steve Driehaus (Ohio), Alan Mollohan (W.Va.) and Nick Rahall (W.Va.).

1. An executive order can be rescinded any time. President Obama could reverse it next week, next month, or next year. Should another pro-abortion president be elected in the future, it could be rescinded on inauguration day.

2. An executive order will not prevent insurance companies that provide abortion from participating in the exchanges.

3. Abortion funding in the health care legislation can be only be removed using the legislative process. An executive order not only doesn’t fix the problem, it isn’t needed to fix the problem, and could not stand a legal challenge. If Democrats are serious about protecting taxpayers from funding abortion in the health care bill, they must use the legislative process to fix the problem.