Apparently Ben Nelson has finally agreed to support the healthcare bill after Reid (who himself oppposes abortion rights, but not as vehemently) semi-caved
He did so with stronger prohibitions on abortion than those floated by Senator Casey, contained within Reid's manager's amendment. Under the latest set of provisions, not only would federal funds be prohibited from being used for abortion coverage but states can also prohibit abortion coverage on their exchange.
I guess it's somewhat ironic. With a blizzard in DC on Shabbat, we get to 60 votes with all the Democrats, the socialist, and Republican Olympia Snowe (of course, for a Maineiac like Ms. Snowe, I believe this is short-sleeves weather), while Joe Lieberman's in shul at Kesher Israel.
I wonder whether he'll make it the 3.5 miles or so to the Hill today. He did it during the last snowstorm on Saturday, but this one's a lot worse.
