A Senate compromise toughening abortion restrictions drew criticism from activists on both sides of the issue Saturday, prolonging rather than settling the controversy as Democrats try and complete work on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Critics included Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, who said the compromise is "light years removed" from the restrictions in the House bill and creates a series of new problems. Johnson warned that the new Senate language would not pass in the House, where anti-abortion Democrats control a crucial bloc of votes.

On the other side of the divide, Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called the deal "unacceptable" and said it was "outrageous" that senators would accept it. It would create too many hurdles for women seeking coverage of a legal medical procedure, she complained.

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • --The 2009 American Health Care Reform Debate • Life Ethics

1. Katherine wrote: I hope those pro-life Democrats in the House have genuine convictions they will stick to.  Sen. Nelson didn’t, and Rep. Pelosi will try to buy off some of her dissident party members.  This is going to be even more ugly than it already is. December 19, 7:27 pm | [comment link]

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