Senate rejects abortion amendment

The Senate on Tuesday rejected an effort to tighten restrictions against using federal funds for abortion under Democrats' landmark healthcare legislation, handing a victory to abortion-rights advocates but setting up a potential conflict with the House.

The Senate voted 54-45 to kill an amendment offered by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to make sure the bill does not undermine the long-standing ban on federal abortion funding.

But critics defeated the measure, saying it would go too far and curb access to abortion coverage even if women buy insurance with their own money.

That vote put the Senate at odds with the House, which has passed a bill that includes the stricter abortion language backed by a large faction anti-abortion Democrats who otherwise were prepared to defeat the healthcare legislation.

Healthy Food

Keep in mind that airport security rules prohibit “gel-type substances,” such as yogurts, and liquids, such as bottled water or other beverages, in carry-on luggage you take through security checkpoints. Solid foods such as sandwiches, hard cheeses, crackers, fresh fruit and vegetables are allowed.

Just as security officials don’t like wrapped gifts, make sure food can be seen through packaging and falls under the Transportation Security Administration’s guidelines for acceptable items. www.tsa.gov/travelers
/airtravel/holiday.shtm. (And no snow globes! That’s on the TSA Web site, too.)

Holiday travelers take note — you cannot take these foods through airport security even if the homemade jam is your Aunt Martha’s:

● cranberry sauce
● gravy
● jam
● jelly
● creamy dip and spreads
● peanut butter
● yogurt
● maple syrup
● oil and vinegar
● salad dressing
● salsa
● sauce
● soup
● wine, liquor and beer

But if you’re bringing the pecan pie or caramel cake to the family gathering, TSA rules state, “You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but please be advised that they are subject to additional screening.”

(Especially if it looks like a really good dessert.)