Promise him whatever it takes

Sen. Ben Nelson has given in. The language Sen. Harry Reid and his closed door committee came up with as a compromise on abortion to satisfy Nelson….the promises they made to get his vote….worked.

Democratic senators and aides said a long day of negotiating on Friday concluded with agreement on language that resolves Nelson’s concerns that federal funds are not used to pay for abortions under the bill.

What exactly does that language say? After all…

Nelson had not agreed to earlier compromise language designed to strengthen a ban on using federal funds for abortions. He and other abortion rights opponents fear the federal subsidies could be spent on plans covering abortion.

It’s still largely unknown, but here’s what the Times is saying Sen. Harry Reid promised in order to get Nelson’s vote (besides “a substantial increase in federal contributions to Nebraska”):

Under Mr. Reid’s proposal, health insurance plans are not required or forbidden to cover abortion services,

(what?) 

but there is a major exemption that would give states power to prohibit abortion coverage in the insurance markets, or exchanges, where most health plans would be sold.

So, to borrow the overused phrase on the chat shows these days…..the Senate is just kicking the can down the road by turning the abortion decision over the the states.

Not everyone Reid has been wooing is giving in.

Republicans remained deeply opposed to the proposal and Senator Olympia J. Snowe, a Maine Republican who had been considered a possible Democratic ally, said she would oppose the measure, saying it was being rushed through.

“It is a take-it-or leave it package,” she said.

As even former Democratic chairman Howard Dean says…..leave it. Until it’s done right.