The U.S. House voted late last night to approve ObamaCare by a vote of 220-215. With some 54% of Americans opposed to the legislation, it is rather surprising that House Democrats nevertheless charged into the void.

One bright spot is the adoption of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment by a vote of 240-194. This pro-Life amendment prevents the use taxpayer funds to pay for abortions. While H.R. 3962 is in no way a “pro-Life” bill, adoption of this amendment is a tremendous victory for the pro-Life movement. Mr. Stupak (D-MI) deserves high praise for his grueling, principled and courageous battle to protect women, preborn children and American women from the outrage of public financing of abortion-on-demand.

The future of tax-funding for abortions remains in doubt, however, as the Senate holds a deeper hostility for preborn children.

Idaho’s Walt Minnick was among those voting against the legislation; to his credit, he also opposed adoption of the rule allowing Pelosi’s bill to be considered on the floor.

However, his behavior on the Stupak Amendment is truly hard to understand. He was one of 194 Democrats to vote against the amendment, effectively saying that he believed every Idahoan should be forced to pay for elective abortions. After standing-up for free abortions as an essential health care right for women, he went on to vote against the broader health care bill. One could understand Mr. Minnick’s priority to be abortion, but not basic health care.

To make matters worse, Mr. Minnick issued a press release defending his contorted priorities:

First, he described that he adopted a daughter from China who survived that nation’s forced abortion policies; this was how he developed “a deep faith in the value of life” – and, inexplicably, how he also developed a deep allegiance to abortion-on-demand.

Mr. Minnick then goes on to argue that he opposed the Stupak Amendment because he does “not want a government bureaucrat denying a medical procedure ordered by a woman’s physician.” Nice try, but that defense is even more confusing than the last. Firstly, physicians do not order abortions like breast cancer exams. Secondly, the Stupak Amendment deals only with the matter of who pays for the abortion – the taxpayers of Idaho or the woman wanting an abortion?

But here is the most tortured defense: “One of the reasons I oppose the House health care bill is that I do not believe the federal government should be making health care decisions for Americans. It is also why I oppose this amendment.”

The Stupak Amendment does nothing to interfere with a woman’s so-called “right to choose”, nor does it inject the federal government into that decision. Just the opposite, in fact. It is quite outrageous for a guy to self-righteously clang the bell for a woman’s “right to choose”, while simultaneously demanding that everyone else, under penalty of criminal sanction, pick-up the tab for that decision.

Thank the Lord most Members of Congress were a bit more clear-headed about this crucial matter.


Here is the full transcript of Rep. Minnick's press release:

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick released the following statement regarding his vote against an amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act:

“One of my daughters was born an orphan in China, and she had a chance at life because her parents defied a government order. I also have two sons, both of whom had a difficult time with their health as newborns. Helping all of them grow to be healthy and strong gave me a deep faith in the value of life.

“One of the many things I learned from my children is that nothing can come between the bonds forged by a family, by the difficult decisions we all make day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

“The issue of an unplanned pregnancy is just such a decision. It is painful, difficult and complicated for women and for their families. Doctors and pastors take great care to think deeply about advice offered to people who are dealing with that situation.

“Like most of them and like most of my constituents, I believe abortion should be safe, legal and rare, and that a decision on the issue can be made only by a woman, her family, her doctor and her pastor.

“I do not want a federal judge overruling that decision. I do not want a government bureaucrat denying a medical procedure ordered by a woman’s physician. I do not want this Congress to give an anonymous insurance executive an excuse to gut coverage for women’s health.

“One of the reasons I oppose the House health care bill is that I do not believe the federal government should be making health care decisions for Americans. It is also why I oppose this amendment.”

Labels: ObamaCare, Walt Minnick