Members of the Senate Finance Committee rejected an amendment Wednesday to strengthen anti-abortion provisions in the Senate's health care overhaul bill.

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, whose amendment lost 13 to 10, argued before the panel that tightening is needed to prevent federal funds from being used to pay for abortion.

"I want assurances that taxpayer dollars will not be used to fund abortions," Hatch said before members of the committee.

But a host of Democratic senators were quick to blast Hatch's amendment, calling it "offensive" to women and claiming it seeks to change current law...