Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 | 2:57 p.m.
WASHINGTON -- In an unexpected move, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this afternoon voted to table a pivotal abortion amendment that he said had no place in the health care debate.
Reid, a Mormon who has long been against abortion, took to the floor to give an intense speech about his position and his belief that the health care bill maintains the status quo on the issue.
"Our health care bill now before this body respects life," Reid said in a nearly 20-minute address. "This bill is about access to health care, not access to abortions."
Reid's record on abortion issues has often infuriated abortion opponents who believe he should use his position as leader to do more to advance their cause.
His vote today will likely become campaign fodder in his difficult re-election campaign next year.
The leading Republican opponents also oppose abortion and national abortion opponents will likely go after Reid for his vote.
Yet Nevada's libertarian streak has suggested that candidates must tread carefully on the abortion issue, particularly after voters approved a measure a decade ago making Nevada an abortion rights state.
The amendment from Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska would have restricted abortion coverage in the health care bill.
The motion to table the bill was approved 54-45.
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