From the Washington Times Herald
By Nate Smith Staff Writer

Ellsworth feeling heat

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In the midst of the first landmark legislative battle of the Obama administration, Congressman Brad Ellsworth, D-Evansville, is feeling the heat from his votes on health care reform. Ellsworth, the Eighth District representative, is being targeted from both sides of the isle for his co-authoring and support of the controversial Stupak Amendment and his “aye” votes on the House health care bill on Nov. 7.

From the left, pro-choice advocates are questioning his choice on the Stupak Amendment, named for Congressman Bart Stupak, D-Mich., that prohibits the proposed public option and private plans that received federal funding to cover abortions. Ellsworth was a co-author on the amendment, and after it and the House health care reform measures passed, the question became whether the Stupak Amendment could bring down the entire health care reform movement.

“I don’t think Stupak will bring that down,” Ellsworth said. “I think there will be people digging their heels in and some will negotiate.”

The negotiation, Ellsworth said, will come when the Senate meets the House in conference committee for the final bill. In the proposed Senate version, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will allow for abortion funding. For an “aye” vote in the final bill, Ellsworth said the bill will have to be close to Stupak.

For more go to the Washington Times Herald …