Members of the House and Senate are no farther along in reaching a compromise on bankruptcy legislation that is stalled in conference. At issue is abortion-related language in the Senate version of the bill, which would bar anti-abortion extremists from using bankruptcy to avoid paying civil damages incurred from anti-abortion clinic violence. Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL) has vocally opposed the Senate language, stating that, “It is bad policy to single out a narrow class of debtors for punishment.” Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), author of the abortion provision, however notes, “We have a broad consensus – pro-choice and pro-life – that people who use violence to shut down clinics should be stopped.” The White House has indicated that the President will sign the legislation with or without the contested language.
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