Anti-abortion Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak, have struck a deal with the House Democratic leadership to vote for the health care bill in exchange for an executive order from President Obama reaffirming there will be no federal funding for abortion. President Obama makes final pitch to pass health care bill for Americans. "I'm pleased to announce that we have an agreement," the Michigan Democrat said shortly after the White House released a statement announcing the executive order. "We have assurances from the president and others that he will not rip this up tomorrow."
Just before making the announcement, Stupak had told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on the House floor that he would vote "yes" on the health care bill, sources told ABC News.
Anti-abortion Democrats had been hesitant to commit their support unless a deal was struck, but the executive order guarantees that the House Democratic leadership will have enough votes to pass the health care legislation.
"We're well past 216," Stupak told reporters, referring to the minimum number of votes House Democrats need to pass the bill.
The executive order will provide "additional safeguards to ensure that the status quo is upheld and enforced," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement.
The president's order is to ensure that current law that restricts federal funding from going toward abortion, known as the Hyde amendment, is maintained. It will extend those restrictions to the new health insurance exchanges, a marketplace in which people would be able shop for and compare insurance plans.
"It is necessary to establish an adequate enforcement mechanism to ensure that federal funds are not used for abortion services," the executive order states.
After months of negotiations, closed-door meetings and persuasion by the president, members of the House of Representatives today will vote on the controversial $938 billion health care bill.
The debate on the House floor got off to a raucous and heated start as Republicans assailed Democrats for moving ahead with the health care bill without any bipartisan support.
"My colleagues shame us," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. "Freedom dies a little bit today. Unfortunately some are celebrating."
