Committee Approves Ban on Federal Funding for Abortion

Committee Approves Ban on Federal Funding for Abortion

Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation to ban the federal funding of abortion.  The Committee favorably reported H.R. 3, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” by a vote of 23-14.

Chairman Smith issued the following statement at today’s markup in support of the bill. 

Chairman Smith: “While there are strong views on both sides of this issue, one thing is clear:  the federal funding of abortion will lead to more abortions. Just a few years after the Supreme Court handed down Roe v. Wade, federal dollars were financing an estimated 300,000 abortions per year.  In response, Representative Henry Hyde introduced the Hyde Amendment to end the federal funding of abortion, and the success of that law over the years is undeniable. In 2009, there were only 220 government-financed abortions. 

“H.R. 3 does not ban abortion.  It also does not restrict abortions, or abortion coverage in health care plans, as long as those abortions or plans use only private or State funds.

“The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act prohibits the federal funding of abortions and prohibits the use of fiscal policy to encourage or subsidize abortions.”

For more information about the House Judiciary Committee’s markup on H.R. 3, please visit: 
http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/mark_03022011.html