Congressman critical to US health care vote will retire

Washington - A Democratic congressman whose outspoken opposition to abortion had threatened to derail health care reform announced Friday that he will retire when his current term ends later this year.

Bart Stupak, a Michigan representative who has served 18 years in Congress, became the public voice of pro-life Democrats in the House of Representatives whose concern that government funds could be used to perform abortions became a key sticking point in passing health care legislation.

At a press conference Friday in his district, Stupak, 58, said he would not seek re-election. He stressed that health care reform had been a key part of his agenda since he first ran for Congress and he felt with its passage he could finally step aside.

"Last month, we finally accomplished what I set out to do 18 years ago," he said. "I am proud to have helped bring it across the finish line."

Stupak and other Democrats who were leery about the health care reform legislation because of abortion reached a last minute deal with the White House that ensured the bill's passage last month. Under the deal, President Barack Obama agreed to sign an executive order affirming no tax dollars would be used for abortions.

His 11th-hour decision to back the health care reform has drawn harsh criticism from the political right.

Stupak's district in northern Michigan will likely be a key target for Republicans looking to tap into populist anger over the health care reforms and other administration policies.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/317923,congressman-critical-to-us-health-care-vote-will-retire.html.