Conservatives question McHugh’s pro-life cred

Rep. John McHugh is nearing the finish line in the confirmation process to serve as President Obama’s Army Secretary.

The widely-respected Republican moderate will be one of a handful of GOP-crossovers serving in the Democratic Administration.

Critics on the right are questioning whether his new allegiance to Team Obama has softened his principles.

This is from the widely read Weekly Standard:

From 1997 to June of 2009, Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), had a near perfect pro-life voting record. But since June he’s gone 0 for 3 on pro-life votes. Why the change of heart? McHugh’s press secretary won’t say. But the likely reason is obvious: On June 2, 2009 President Obama nominated McHugh to serve as his Secretary of the Army. The Senate is expected to vote on his nomination today or tomorrow, according to McHugh’s press secretary and Hill staffers.

McHugh is likely to be on the front lines for some contentious culture war debates over the next few years: from women serving in combat roles to the availability of abortion services on overseas military bases to gays in the military.