administrations of presidents carter, reagan, george h.w. bush, president clinton, and george w. bush. that is 33 years. 33 years. and all of a sudden my colleagues want to change our policy on federal funding of abortion. mr. president, we shouldn't be making this type of sweeping policy change in this health care legislation. and the nelson amendment is necessary -- is a necessary addition to the bill in order to protect our current policy and the unborn. i understand that not everyone in this country agrees with my position on abortion. and, again, i know that this issue deeply divides americans on ethical, moral, and religious grounds. while i have said that i don't agree with abortion and believe roe v. wade should be overturned, the nelson amendment -- and this is really important -- does not prevent anyone from seeking an abortion, it does not overturn roe v. wade and it does not place any new restrictions on access to