Update: Senate defeats Sen. Nelson's pro-life amendment 54-45

I just watched on C-SPAN as the Nelson-Hatch amendment (the Senate version of the Stupak amendment in the House - I explain it here) was defeated 54-45. 

The democrats needed only 50 votes to defeat this abortion neutrality amendment and they went over that mark by four Senators. This means, however, that at least 5 democrats came across he aisle and voted pro-life, but it wasn't enough.

As I wrote after the vote was published, "Senate Health Care remains strongly pro-abortion."

This result was not unexpected, but it certainly complicates the efforts of the American bishops and faithful to ensure that health care reform does not change the status quo in favor of government money funding abortion. 

More as it happens....

According to the official roll, {update} two Republicans voted for the pro-abortion status quo (Collins and Snowe of Maine). {update} 7 Democrats, meanwhile, voted for the pro-life Nelson amendment: Kaufman of DL, Bayh of IN, Casey of PA, Conrad of ND, Dorgan of ND, Nelson of NE, Pryor of AR.

Bob Casey of PA, however, will probably vote for the pro-abortion bill, now that he has had his chance to offer an amendment (which was tabled, of course). 

Sen. Nelson has made some promise that he would filibuster the final bill if his amendment failed or was tabled. Let's focus our prayers on him holding true to that promise.