Seven Eight Democratic Members of Congress spoke out against the Obama Administration’s proposed Colombia “free trade” agreement and its onerous assassination stress tests. They were joined by the United Steelworkers Union, the first major union to speak out against the deal after the AFL-CIO labor federation. Each centered their opposition on the laughable “Action Plan” to [...]

So, does the language in the Senate bill negotiated to make Ben Nelson happy “restrict a woman’s right to choose any further than current law?” The answer is an unqualified “yes.” Let’s review:

• It allows states to opt out of allowing plans to cover abortion in the insurance exchanges, a clear violation of Roe v. Wade
• It prohibits insurance companies by law from taking into account cost savings when estimating the costs of abortion care, which raises premiums, thus limiting access
• It includes “conscience clause” language that protecting both individuals and entities that refuse to provide, pay for, provide coverage for, or refer for abortion.

Choice is already in grave danger with the current radical Supreme Court majority, and every time Congress tinkers with this, it just creates another opportunity for the Supremes to whittle away or reverse Roe v. Wade.

The bottom line: the Senate bill would deal a bigger blow to abortion rights in this country than anything George Bush ever signed into law.

Lobbyists are churning through these amendments right now, but the public rarely gets their oar in until debate goes to the floor. By that time, half the battle is already over.

Have a look at the amendments being offered and let us know which ones you think need to be ditched and which ones should get a vote.