FRC Praises Ways and Means Committee for Passing 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,' Urges Quick Floor Action

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Mar 31, 2011, 04:47 ET

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The House Ways and Means Committee in a vote of 22 to 14 gave approval today to H.R. 1232, the companion bill to the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3). Rep. Dave Camp's bill makes technical changes to the tax provision in H.R. 3.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins responded with the following comments:

"We applaud the committee for moving forward with the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,' which will restore government neutrality on the question of taxpayer funding for abortion.

"Americans should not be forced to pay for abortions, especially at a time when our country is facing an economic meltdown brought on by a failure to stop the out-of-control spending in Washington. Now is the time for Congress to finally restore government neutrality to the question of abortion funding and also applying the long-standing principles of the Hyde Amendment to our tax laws.

"This legislation will ensure that not only will abortion funding be removed from Obamacare and the District of Columbia, but that the tax credits under Obamacare and tax incentives in current law will no longer create a government incentive to pay for abortions. Both the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' and Rep. Camp's bill will ensure that taxpayers are not spending the estimated $72 billion in the next nine years to pay for the abortion coverage of others. It also ensures that people can still purchase health insurance with abortion and pay for abortion, just not with direct tax incentives. The IRS does not allow cosmetic surgery to be deducted as a tax preferred medical expense, and it should no longer do so for abortion.

"We commend the pro-life leadership of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) for introducing this essential bill, and thank Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) for shepherding it through the process.

"We are encouraged that Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) have made the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' a priority, and encourage them to bring these bills quickly to a vote," concluded Perkins.

SOURCE Family Research Council