Trump Hyde Amendment flexibility comment sparks pro-life pushback
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Pro-life leaders from states across the country held a webcast Monday urging the U.S. Senate to preserve the Hyde Amendment during ongoing health care negotiations.
“The most convincing thing you can do is to let your elected officials know that there is no flexibility in the Hyde Amendment, there is no flexibility in forcing us and everyone we know to support abortion through our tax dollars, to pay for something we really don’t want,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. said monday.
During the announcement last week House Republicans “You’ve got to be a little flexible on Hyde now,” President Donald Trump told lawmakers at the Kennedy Center.
Abortion restrictions pose major obstacle to bipartisan OBAMACARE RELIEF DEAL in Senate
Pro-life leaders from states across the country held a webcast urging the U.S. Senate to preserve the Hyde Amendment during ongoing health care negotiations. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)
Trump added, “You know you’ve got to be a little flexible. You’ve got to do something. You’ve got to use your creativity. You’ve got to work.”
Republicans want to hold While the Hyde Amendment preserves part of the health care negotiations, Democrats oppose its inclusion.
Hyde AmendmentThe law, named after Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., was first passed in 1976. It prohibits the use of federal funds for most elective abortions.
Pro-life leader David Bereit, executive director of the Life Leadership Conference, introduced guests representing states such as Ohio, Iowa, South Carolina and Missouri, who echoed similar sentiments.
OBAMACARE AID DEAL EXPIRED, AFTER BILATERAL MEETINGS, INCHES TOWARDS A VOTE ON THE SENATE FLOOR
The Hyde Amendment, named after Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., was first passed in 1976. It prohibits the use of federal funds for most elective abortions. (iStock)
Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue in Columbus, Ohio, called on Ohioans to make their voices heard in support of Ohio Republican Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, who Baer says are strong advocates for life.
“There are hospitals and insurance companies and all these people who are really agnostic about Hyde,” Baer said. “They just want their money. And no matter what, they’re going to put a lot of pressure on to say, ‘Hey, do whatever it takes to get this passed. And if the Democrats don’t want Hyde, get Hyde out so we can get this done.”
“And that kind of pressure is happening in Washington right now,” Baer added. “This whole thing is like getting on top of Bernie and Jon. This is where pro-life people need to make their voices heard and say, ‘Hey, Ohio wants the Hyde Amendment, we need to make sure we have strong protections here.’ They should say. “This is a message that both Bernie and Jon have worked on and care deeply about.”
EXPANSION OF OBAMACARE IS MEETED BY BLOCKING OF ABORTION FUNDING BY PRO-LIFE SWITCHES
Republicans want Hyde Amendment protections to remain part of health care negotiations, while Democrats oppose including the amendment. (iStock)
Craig DeRoche, president and CEO of the Family Policy Alliance, said the integrity of the pro-life movement is at stake.
“Millions of Americans are watching pro-life, pro-family voters and won’t forget what’s happening right now. That’s what I’m saying. This isn’t just about politics, it’s about our values… the credibility of this entire movement is at stake with one vote,” DeRoche said.
Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader in Iowa, said politicians who abandon Hyde would struggle politically, and Steve Pettit, president of the Palmetto Family Council in South Carolina, warned that dithering on Hyde would quickly erode voters’ trust.
“Candidates who hesitate on Hyde run the risk of losing confidence too soon in South Carolina,” Pettit said. “South Carolina is where voters test character early. And this is where we learn who will stand up when it costs them something.”
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“Candidates who hesitate on Hyde run the risk of losing confidence in South Carolina too soon,” said Steve Pettit, president of the Palmetto Family Council in South Carolina. (Kevin Ferris/Fox News Digital)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
