Health Care Law Divides Republican and Democratic Anti-Abortion Allies in Congress

NPR: Health Law Divides Anti-Abortion Allies in Congress, by Julie Rovner:

One of Washington's most enduring partnerships appears headed for a nasty breakup. Republicans and Democrats who oppose abortion have found themselves on opposite sides of a major issue — the health care overhaul legislation that President Obama signed Tuesday. And the war of words has gotten increasingly ugly.

For nearly as long as abortion has been legal, Democratic and Republican opponents of abortion rights have worked together. In fact, the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, the group that promotes the anti-abortion point of view among lawmakers, has always had two leaders — one Democrat and one Republican.

But that alliance was blasted apart Sunday, when a group of anti-abortion Democrats, led by Pro-Life Caucus co-chairman Bart Stupak of Michigan, negotiated a deal with Obama to support the version of the health care bill that passed the Senate in December. In exchange for their vote, Obama promised to issue an executive order ensuring that no federal funds would be used to pay for elective abortions under the new law. Obama signed that order Wednesday. . . .