Bart Stupak

I’ll put my progressive credentials up against anyone’s.

All I’m asking for is the law that’s been on the books for the last 33 years, no public funding for abortion. We are both saying the same thing, pro-life, pro-choice. Let’s find the language that works for both of us so we can pass health care.

We believe the Senate language provides for federal subsidies for abortions. Plus there’s a language in there where you have to pay one dollar per month, every enrollee, to pay for a fund for reproductive rights which include abortion. And that’s totally against federal law. So we are saying take that out.

When I came to Congress, like our first panel, small business people, 64 percent of the people had health insurance. We’d buy it. Now, we’re down to about 34 percent. That’s why we have to do something on health care in this country because the cost is killing us.

Why would Senator Allen want to oppose saving money for the state? It’s simply another example of Republicans fighting the governor tooth and nail against any measure where she might be able to turn the state’s budget around.

Right-to-life groups won’t fund us because we’re Democrats.

I’ve had some threaten not to give Communion to me, even though they don’t know my position, just because I’m a Democrat. I’ve had cardinals refuse to shake my hand because I’m a Democrat.

We are not voting for health care if we do not resolve this language on public funding for abortion – no public funding for abortion.