Battle lines clear as House Republicans hold two hearings this week on abortion legislation

For the GOP, the issue requires a delicate balance between its conservative base and independent voters while two junior Democrats take hardline positions against the Republican plans.

Politico: Abortion Rights Forces Mobilize
A pair of House hearings on abortion legislation beginning Monday riled forces on both sides of the issue that are gearing up for a fierce fight (Kliff, 2/8).

National Journal: Focus On Abortion Comes With Peril
From the start of the 112th Congress, House Republican leadership has made it a priority to satisfy anti-abortion groups and eradicate any potential federal support for abortions. The first committee hearings on the various anti-abortion bills begin today, but the issue that pleases their social conservative base requires a delicate balance with the independent voters who put Republicans into the majority and want them to stay focused on the economy (McCarthy, 2/7).

The Hill: Dem Senators Promise To Block House Abortion Legislation
With House Republicans hosting two hearings on abortion legislation this week, two junior Democratic senators are promising to block efforts to place new restrictions on the practice. Writing for the website of EMILY's List, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) accused House Republicans of pulling a "bait and switch" by focusing early on anti-abortion legislation instead of the economy (Millman, 2/7).

Kaiser Health News: Health On The Hill: Democrats On Defense As Republican Plan Attack On Health Law
Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talk with KFF's Jackie Judd about the latest developments on Capitol Hill, including discussions about House Republican's plans to hold committee hearings this week on the health law's provisions governing Medicare, abortion and small business (2/7). Watch the video.