He Voted For You: Abortion

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockfeller, D-W.Va., voted to idle an amendment that aimed to "inject tougher restrictions into sweeping Senate health care legislation," The Associated Press reports.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd did not take part in the 54-45 roll call that tabled the change proposed by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and others.

"The current legislation would ban the use of federal funds to pay for abortion services under insurance plans expected to be offered in a new health care system, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother was in jeopardy," AP reports. "Individuals who receive federal subsidies to purchase insurance under the plans would be permitted to use personal funds to pay for abortion services _ the point on which the two sides in the dispute part company."

A version of the Senate health care bill is here, while the Nelson amendment SA 2962, is about one-fourth down this page.