FRC Urges Congress to Restore Abortion Funding Neutrality

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Jan 20, 2011, 11:51 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council praised bipartisan legislation introduced today by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) that would codify abortion funding restrictions across government programs. Also, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) introduced legislation to remove abortion funding from the Obama health bill. Both bills are necessary given the actions of the previous Congress to fund abortion in health care, and in the District of Columbia.

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

"Government funding for abortion is both morally and fiscally irresponsible, which is why more than two-thirds of Americans oppose such funding.

"We applaud Reps. Smith and Lipinski for introducing the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' to restore and codify abortion funding restrictions across the federal government, including funding for abortion in health care and funding for abortion in the nation's capital approved last year. The bill would also prevent government funding of abortion overseas. FRC also thanks Rep. Pitts for introducing the 'Protect Life Act' to remove abortion funding from the Obama health care law. Both bills would codify conscience protections for health care workers who object to abortion.

"There is no question that abortion funding exists within the Obama health bill. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, admitted earlier this week that the President's executive order supposedly prohibiting federal abortion funding does 'not exist by law.' Indeed, we know that several states approved funding for abortion in the new high risk pool program, and that several other provisions would subsidize abortion because they bypass the 30-year old Hyde amendment. The fact that Congress also approved funding for abortion in D.C. shows the need for a government-wide ban.

"Americans, regardless of their view on the legal question of abortion, should not be forced to pay for abortions.

"Members of Congress who claim to be 'moderate' on abortion must support the Smith-Lipinski bill to make these abortion funding restrictions permanent law and apply them across the federal government.

"We applaud Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor for their support for these bills. We urge quick action to restore abortion funding neutrality and protect the conscience rights of the American people."

SOURCE Family Research Council