Bart Stupak: Democratic Leaders Are 'Ignoring Me'

After playing a central role in the bid to ensure that federal funding for abortion is removed from the Democrats' health care bill, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said in an interview on Friday that he is suddenly feeling left out.

"They're ignoring me," he told National Review Online in an interview "That's their strategy now. The House Democratic leaders think they have the votes to pass the Senate's health-care bill without us. At this point, there is no doubt that they've been able to peel off one or two of my twelve. And even if they don't have the votes, it's been made clear to us that they won't insert our language on the abortion issue."

The "us" Stupak is referring to, are twelve anti-abortion Democrats in the House (also known as the "Stupak dozen"), some of whom are now considering siding with the White House and Democratic congressional leaders to vote "yes" on the final health care package.

For his part, Stupak is not budging.

"I am a definite 'no' vote," he told National Review. "I didn't cave. The others are having both of their arms twisted."

Stupak acknowledged that that Democratic leaders have been successful in convincing "one or two" of his dozen to vote for the bill.

Comments

[SteveDenver]

03:37 PM on 03/20/2010

Reposting excellent comment from "mamalisa38"
"The Jehovah Witness don't believe in blood transfusions. Should we ban federal funding for that procedure as well?"

[denicci1977]

01:02 PM on 03/20/2010

"I am a definite 'no' vote," he told National Review.
__________________
I hope when it comes election time, your previous supporters say the same thing about voting for you !

[redhd2]

10:29 AM on 03/20/2010

Mr. Stupak if you are so pro life why have you not stopped the war? did you vote for the war, if so why?

[NeoConsAreFinished]

05:45 PM on 03/19/2010

I want to propose a new amendment be added during the conference committee when the House and Senate get together to merge the health-care reform bills. I know the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will love it, since they are officially members of Congress now. Here it is.
All pro-life male members of Congress who ejaculate without the express intent of making a baby will be considered to have had an abortion. (This will include airport-bathroom encounters.) Under this new rule, the male members then must fall in line with the same restrictions to health care as women will have to under the Stupak Amendment . Then starting in 2013, all men in America will be covered under this provision as well.
Remember, sex is for one thing and one thing only. I believe a man has an even greater responsibility than a women does just by the fact that the Congress is made up of mostly men .

[Project4NuBostonTeaParty]

05:24 PM on 03/15/2010

.
The question is: Is Stupak representing HIMSELF or his constituents?

But we'll never know the answer, because the media doesn't pursue this obvious line of inquiry.

.

[ChicagoSuz]

02:17 PM on 03/15/2010

Stupak... if the Catholic Church can live with this Bill, so can you.

[MrUniteUs]

02:11 PM on 03/15/2010

Stupak believes abortion is murder
:Let's be honest abortion is ending a life.

So what would you say to Stupak to convince him others to vote for this
bill.

Two ways to reduce abortion.

1) Before a woman has sex with man,
She should pop the question. Do you want to have children?

2)Along with telling teens, about abstinence, and birth control, mention the m-word, marriage.
Yes marriage is an option and should be part of the conversation.

[SteveDenver]

03:40 PM on 03/20/2010

Do these questions include rapists and incest?

"Abstinence only" programs seem to only promote oral and a/n/a/l sex, according to a 12-year study of young people involved in "Promise Ring" programs.

[vjones26]

12:43 PM on 03/15/2010

Stupak is so self righteous and wrongheaded.

He would take away health care for millions of Americans for what??????????????

PRIMARIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mollymac]

11:59 AM on 03/15/2010

Bart can whine all he wants; I'm sure the female oppressors all over the world will "high five" him for his upstanding morals. However, the majority of women want to make their own choices regarding their bodies and their becoming or not becoming mothers. What business is it of Stupak's? When he gives birth, then he can opine.

[ladydragon]

11:19 AM on 03/15/2010

Mr. Stupak is certainly welcome to the courage of his convictions and to stand by them, however as a voter I have every right to not vote for him again and he is free to seek employment elsewhere.

[Josh Seipp]

10:23 AM on 03/15/2010

That's what happens when you misrepresent the legislation.

[marvm]

09:26 AM on 03/15/2010

will some one please call bart and tell him rach maddow has call him out and made a lie out of his statements, plus she want to know who was paying his rent over at C street because he was only paying $600 per mo. , but poor bart want answer HER

[yellowdoggie]

04:57 AM on 03/15/2010

Who are the "Stupak Dozen"? I can't find their names anywhere. Who are they?

[KeyInfo]

08:55 PM on 03/14/2010

What coalition? What support?

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

07:22 PM on 03/14/2010

Bart Stupidpak's 15 minutes of fame is gone. ha ha ha