At least taxpayers won't be forced to subsidize abortions
Contact: Natalie Bell, Concerned Women for America, 202-488-7000 ext. 126
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- A review of the just released omnibus appropriations bill finds that, after a hard-fought battle by grassroots citizens and pro-life Members of Congress, the pro-life provisions traditionally included in annual appropriations bills are intact. While Concerned Women for America (CWA) does not support the overall omnibus bill, we appreciate that House and Senate Members recognize the President's commitment to protect the unborn.
"While this bill has problems, we are glad that it would neither force Americans to subsidize abortions nor provide federal funding to force people to participate in abortion, an abhorrent elective procedure that kills babies and harms women" said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America. "We are thankful to the Members of Congress who fought for these pro-life measures and the thousands of Americans who urged their elected officials to uphold these moral provisions that ensure our tax dollars do not encourage abortion."
The pro-life provisions include: the Hyde Amendment -- no federal funding for abortions except in the cases of rape, incest or life of the mother; no federal funding of research that harms human embryos; Kemp-Kasten -- allows the President to discontinue funding to organizations that support coercive abortion programs; conscience protection for health care providers or entities because they will not provide, pay for or refer for abortion; no funding for abortions for federal prisoners, and conscience protection for prison employees; no Legal Services Corporation funds given to organizations that engage in abortion-related litigation; no federal funds used to issue patents on human organisms; no funding of abortions through the Federal Employee Health Benefits program except in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother; no federal funds to pay for abortions in the District of Columbia; population control funds to only be used in programs that are voluntary; no Peace Corps money to be used to pay for abortions; no foreign aid spent for abortion; funding for HIV/AIDS and other disease funds are governed by pro-life provisions for foreign aid; Title X (family planning) grantees must comply with state reporting laws on child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest.
In addition, attempts to weaken the Mexico City Policy were stripped. This ensures that Americans' tax dollars go only to international organizations that do not promote or commit abortions.
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
