Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, today joined House colleagues in approving the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which establishes a uniform policy against taxpayer funding of abortion in all government programs including the Affordable Care Act.
“I have always strongly supported policies that provide the utmost protection for the unborn,” Labrador said. “Today I am proud to support the passage of historic legislation ensuring that no taxpayer dollars will pay for abortion. No American should be forced to violate their conscience rights by subsidizing abortions.”
H.R. 7 applies the principles of the Hyde Amendment across the federal government. Enacted three years after the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Hyde Amendment protects against taxpayer dollars being used to fund most abortions and abortion coverage through programs like Medicaid.
The Hyde Amendment, however, only covers funds appropriated through the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill. Because of the Amendment’s limited scope, Congress has had to attach annual bans to programs funded by other revenue streams, such as international aid and the federal employee benefits program. H.R. 7’s funding limitations do not apply to an abortion related to rape, incest, or preserving the life of the mother.
In its 40-year history the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2 million unborn children since 1976, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute.
The bill passed 238-183.