It’s one thing to expect more stridently worded language in an amendment to a bill pending its passage in the House of Representatives. The Senate, on the other hand, usually takes a more reasoned approach to refining such provisions prior to ultimate passage. Apparently, this isn’t so with a certain Senate Democrat — Bill Nelson (D-NE) — who likes the original House Stupak amendment exactly as it is written. So goes things in the first week of debate on reform in this most august body.

As debate continues, with this amendment’s language essentially ironclad with most Republicans and now, at least one Democratic senator; it’s clear that this issue will not fly with the Democratic majority (needing a full 60 votes). Resolution of this amendment as unmodified will not win over even the most moderate Senate Dems — creating yet another potential speed bump on the way to a bill which will probably look radically different once it reaches Obama’s desk next year. | LINK

UPDATE: A complete list of amendments filed thus far is here.

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