House Passes Anti-Abortion Bill

Legislation declares 'personhood' at moment of conception

(NEWSER) - Alabama legislators have introduced bills that would grant personhood to fetuses from the moment of conception—and they appear to have a lot of support. One bill, introduced in both the House and Senate, would amend the Alabama Code of 1975 to alter the definition, while another House bill would amend Alabama’s constitution to the same effect, the American Independent reports. The Senate bill has 18 co-sponsors and both House bills have 31. More»

Steve King, Louie Gohmert not far behind among fringe congressmen

(NEWSER) - A week after releasing its Senate Wingnut Index , the Daily Beast investigates wingnuttery in the House. Using a “semi-scientific” process to identify the most extreme members on both sides of the spectrum, the site ranks them:

1. Michele Bachmann (R-MN): From calling the president “anti-American” to warning of tyranny, “Bachmann has become a symbol of all things Wingnutty in American politics.”

Health bill error may leave lawmakers, aides without coverage

(NEWSER) - If you know exactly how the health care reform bill will impact your coverage, you may be a step ahead of your member of Congress, according to the New York Times . A report from the Congressional Research Service found that—because of imprecise language and a possible drafting error in the bill—senators, representatives, and their staffers may end up having their coverage pulled with no ready replacement. More»

Reps. Shea-Porter and Hodes get earful at recess public meeting

(NEWSER) - New Hampshire’s two congresspeople, both Democrats, have spent a good part of the Easter recess reliving last summer's town hall ire over health care reform. In meetings with their constituents over the break, both Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes got an earful over their yea votes for the new law. “I don't want to shake your hand,” one senior told Hodes. “You voted for health care, so just go.” More»

Anti-abortion Dem answers critics of his reform vote

(NEWSER) - The health-care bill passed this week is plenty pro-life for Bart Stupak, the anti-abortion Democrat whose amendment didn’t make the final cut but who wrangled an executive order out of President Obama that carries “the full force and effect of law” in prohibiting federal funding for abortion. In a Washington Post op-ed , the Michigander further blasts conservatives for rallying, unbidden, behind him, using abortion as merely a pretense for defeating health reform. More»