LOS ANGELES (YBH.COM) Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson introduced an amendment to the Senate health care bill which would have barred Federal funds to be used for abortions. It was defeated. Endorsed by Nebraska Right To Life during his 2006 election, Nelson has stated he will not vote for a health care bill without such a provision.
Senator Nelson Gets Pressured by White House
Needing 60 votes for passage, and with Joe Lieberman’s vote far from assured, the White House is skipping the carrot and going for the stick when it comes to Nelson. According to the Weekly Standard, “a Senate aide [says] the White House is now threatening to put Nebraska’s Offutt Air Force Base on the [base closure] list if Nelson doesn’t fall into line.” The base employs some 10,000 folks in Southeastern Nebraska.
Threats of this type are often leaked, by either party, more for political theater than anything else. However, Nelson will be in the driver’s seat if Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman signs onto the Senate health care bill. The White House will then need to confront the abortion issue head on.
UPDATE: The White House has denied making the threat.
