Waxman: No health deal with abortion opponents

A top House Democrat says party leaders are unlikely to cut a deal with abortion opponents to pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Rep. Henry Waxman tells The Associated Press that "the likely outcome" is that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will move ahead without the votes of a group of abortion opponents who want tougher restrictions in the bill against taxpayer funding for the procedure.

Waxman is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and he helped write the 10-year, $940 billion bill.

Waxman spoke as the House Rules Committee began deliberations that will set the terms for Sunday's expected vote in the full House.