Steve Dillard on Bart Stupak: "Pro-Life Warrior"

My friend, Steve Dillard, writes at First Thoughts:

Like many conservatives, I am extremely skeptical that the health-care reform being pushed through Congress by President Obama and his fellow Democrats is actually going to improve health care in this country or reduce the cost of providing same. Nevertheless, my primary concern throughout this political drama has been that the final version of the bill not result in federal funding of abortions.

And for a while, things looked promising. In the House of Representatives, Bart Stupak (D-MI) fought tirelessly to ensure that an amendment was attached to the House bill prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for “elective” abortions. Then, Ben Nelson (D-NE) indicated that he would insist on the Senate version of the bill including language that mirrored the Stupak amendment. Suffice it to say, this did not come to pass.

So, as it stands, the only thing standing in the way of federal funding of abortions is Rep. Stupak and his tremendous leadership on this issue.

But the question on every politico’s mind is: Will Stupak cave like Nelson?Many of my jaded Republican friends certainly think he will. They believe that Pelosi et al.will eventually get to Stupak, and force him to sign off on the Nelson-approved language contained in the Senate bill.

Well, call me a cock-eyed optimist, but I truly believe Stupak will stand his ground. Like the late (and great) Robert P. Casey, Sr., I am convinced that Stupak is the genuine article...

[Read the whole thing]

Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
To Bart Stupak, On the Eve of Battle

Democrats Reveal Priorities: Universal Abortion Trumps Universal Health Coverage

Health Care, Politicians and the Catholic Conscience

Feel Free to Oppose Health Care Reform in Good Conscience ...

White House at Odds with Bishops Over Abortion Coverage in Reid "Health Care" Bill

"Pro-Life" Harry Reid Strips Stupak Language from Senate ObamaCare Bill

Epic Fail: Legal Hack Toobin Relies on Falsified Source for Abortion "History" in Article Against Stupak Amendment

Stupak Warns Democrats Not to Mess with Anti-Abortion Health Care Language

Because Blaming the Minority Opposition Party is Easier Than Owning Up to Having Aligned Yourself With a Party For Whom Abortion is a Sacrament

A Big Pro Ecclesia Thank You ...

Stupak Still Fighting Good Fight: Says He Has 40 Democrat Votes to Stop Health Care Reform Over Abortion Coverage; Says President Being Disingenuous

House Democrats Block Vote to Cut Abortion From Health Care Bill

Michael Sean Winters: "Deceitful Bogeyman" of the Catholic Left

Catholic Bishops: All Current Health Care Bills in Congress Would Permit Federal Funding of Abortion

Catholic Senators are Decisive Factor in Defeating Abortion Funding Ban and Conscience Protection in Health Care Bill

Can Stupak Be Counted Upon to Stand Firm on Abortion? Probably Not

Congressman Bart Stupak, Democrat, Defending the Right to Life in Heath Care

Pro-Life Catholic Dem: "We Believe We Have the Votes" to Shut Down Healthcare Over Abortion

Obama Won't Meet With Pro-Life Democrat to Discuss Abortion, Health Care

Pro-Life Catholic Dem: Prevent Abortion Funding, Or I'll Block Healthcare

House Democrats Will Likely Prevent Vote to Remove Abortion From Health Care

Deal Hudson: "Why Catholics Will Not Get Abortion Out of the Health Care Bill" [UPDATED]

LA Times: Next Hurdle in Healthcare "Debate" is Abortion

Congressman Smith Warns Against Phony ‘Compromise’ on Abortion Mandates in ObamaCare

Dem Says Language Expressly Prohibiting Abortion Funding a Must in Health Care Bill [UPDATED]

Pelosi Accused of Muzzling Opposition to Taxpayer-Funded D.C. Abortions