Thursday Joe Biden signed a 2021 Covid spending bill titled the “American Rescue Plan.” This massive $1.9 trillion package excludes the Hyde Amendment, meaning there are no protections to prevent taxpayer dollars from directly funding abortion with this money.
In effect the so-called “rescue plan” is just a front for the government to funnel tax dollars to their pet projects, including growing the abortion industry.
The exclusion of the Hyde Amendment from the 2021 spending package was intentional, not a mistake. Hyde has been hailed as the most effective measure to limit abortion ever passed by U.S. Congress. The amendment, first passed in 1976, blocked federal funding for abortions. Since the Hyde Amendment originally took effect, estimates have shown that over two million lives have been spared from abortion due to Hyde restrictions.
The Democrat controlled House of Representatives, Senate and White House deliberately rejected the Hyde Amendment in order that tax dollars could be used for abortions.
In a 2020 address Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who currently holds the position of chair of U.S. House Appropriations Committee, ripped the Hyde Amendment, saying “(t)his is the last year” that Hyde restrictions would limit abortions.
Before signing the bill, Biden announced, “this historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country.” On their campaign trail both Biden and Kamala Harris vowed to kill Hyde. Other key Democratic leaders including Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have also promised to overturn the long-established once-bipartisan policy.
Although the amendment had been renewed annually for over 40 years, Hyde was never made a permanent law. This means the critical restrictions placed on abortion funding by the Hyde Amendment require Congress to attach Hyde to Congressional appropriations bills each year. Hyde’s exclusion from the Covid spending bill is tragic, however, this does not mean Pro-Lifers cannot push for Hyde’s inclusion in future bills.
Previously, Hyde has been seen as a commonsense, middle-ground restriction on abortion. Even abortion advocates have understood that taxpayers should not be forced to pay for procedures they consider immoral. Those days are gone. The Democratic leadership has shifted to the radical left and now stands squarely against any protection of preborn Life.
We must pray harder than ever for our country and the innocent preborn children threatened by abortion.
The misleadingly named American Rescue Plan was passed by both houses of Congress on strict party lines, save for one Democrat in the House who voted against the bill. In the House 220 Democrats voted for and the 210 Republicans voted against. In the Senate the bill passed on a strict party vote 50 to 49.
Pro-Lifers in Texas should boldly push legislation that stops abortions in our state. A Senate committee will consider THREE Pro-Life Priority Bills on Monday, March 15. Come to Austin on Monday to share your beliefs. RSVP here or learn more.