Who is This Lone Man Stepping Back from the Party Line?

In the middle of a furious debate on whether to require pregnant women seeking an abortion in their first trimester to submit to an ultrasound, a lone Republican male decided to stand up in opposition to the controversial amendment attached to a health care bill in the final days of session

That man's name? Sen. Mike Bennett. His district? Bradenton. His self-described one-time profession? "Drunken sailor."

Espousing the philosophy of deceased Sen. Jim King, Bennett, who has made pro-choice votes in the past, told senators: "If you don't ovulate, stay out of the debate."

The amendment requires women in their first trimester to have an ultrasound and requires that they look at the live images unless they sign a waiver or prove they are the victims of rape, incest or domestic abuse. Another amendment forbids the use of taxpayer money to pay for abortions.

He said that this was one of the times politics must be put aside to respect the rights of people who do not have control of their decision.

"Think about your children. Think about your daughter. Think about your granddaughter. Things happen. It's simply true," he said.

Senators passed the bill to the House, where Democrats vowed to block votes on any Senate bill sent there if the amendment was not removed, by a vote of 23- 16.