House Passes Bill that Frees Taxpayers from Subsidizing Abortion
January 22, 2015
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, by a vote of 242-179 on the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act was introduced by Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.). Similar legislation passed in the House of Representatives last Congress.
For over 35 years, a patchwork of policies has regulated federal funding for abortion. Amendments have been added to various appropriations bills to prohibit the federal funding of abortions through the programs funded by those appropriations bills. This legislation permanently frees taxpayers from subsidizing abortion or insurance coverage that includes abortion.
This legislation makes permanent the following three amendments:
· The Hyde Amendment, which prohibits funding for elective abortion coverage through any program funded in the annual Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act,
· The Smith FEHBP Amendment, which prohibits funding for health plans that include elective abortion coverage for federal employees, and
· The Dornan Amendment, which prohibits use of congressionally appropriated funds for abortions in the District of Columbia.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman Smith praised the House passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act:
Chairman Goodlatte: “Today on the ominous anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the House passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act signifies our nation’s renewed commitment to protect life and encourage a society that supports life at all stages. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act codifies the most bipartisan, longstanding pro-life proposal, the Hyde Amendment, and frees taxpayers from subsidizing the egregious practice of abortion or insurance coverage that includes abortion.
“As a country, we must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and allow them the fundamental human right to be born into this world. The passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act is just one step towards the protection of life that I enthusiastically support.”
Congressman Smith: “The American people strongly oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. In the most recent Marist poll released yesterday, 68% of respondents oppose using taxpayer funding for abortion – including 69% of women and 71% of millennials. Even 49% -- nearly a majority -- of respondents who identified themselves as 'pro-choice’ oppose the use of taxpayer funding. H.R. 7 reflects the overwhelming sentiment of the American people. This bill will save lives and help spare women and children from the horrors of abortion."
For over 35 years, a patchwork of policies has regulated federal funding for abortion. Amendments have been added to various appropriations bills to prohibit the federal funding of abortions through the programs funded by those appropriations bills. This legislation permanently frees taxpayers from subsidizing abortion or insurance coverage that includes abortion.
This legislation makes permanent the following three amendments:
· The Hyde Amendment, which prohibits funding for elective abortion coverage through any program funded in the annual Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act,
· The Smith FEHBP Amendment, which prohibits funding for health plans that include elective abortion coverage for federal employees, and
· The Dornan Amendment, which prohibits use of congressionally appropriated funds for abortions in the District of Columbia.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Congressman Smith praised the House passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act:
Chairman Goodlatte: “Today on the ominous anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the House passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act signifies our nation’s renewed commitment to protect life and encourage a society that supports life at all stages. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act codifies the most bipartisan, longstanding pro-life proposal, the Hyde Amendment, and frees taxpayers from subsidizing the egregious practice of abortion or insurance coverage that includes abortion.
“As a country, we must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and allow them the fundamental human right to be born into this world. The passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act is just one step towards the protection of life that I enthusiastically support.”
Congressman Smith: “The American people strongly oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. In the most recent Marist poll released yesterday, 68% of respondents oppose using taxpayer funding for abortion – including 69% of women and 71% of millennials. Even 49% -- nearly a majority -- of respondents who identified themselves as 'pro-choice’ oppose the use of taxpayer funding. H.R. 7 reflects the overwhelming sentiment of the American people. This bill will save lives and help spare women and children from the horrors of abortion."