Call to Action

Ask Members of Congress to Reject
Pro-Abortion measures inserted into appropriations bill

 

200 lawmakers have signed a letter to Speaker Pelosi asking to maintain
anti-abortion measures called riders that are added to spending bills to prevent taxpayer money from being
spent on funding abortions in the U.S. or abroad

 

Calling All Catholics

Pro-life riders that prohibit federal funds from being used for abortions and that provide conscience protections for health care personnel must be retained in upcoming appropriations legislation. 

Update

$150 Million in Pro-Abortion Measures included in Omnibus Appropriations Act - Bill Moves to Senate

The ACLJ reports the following pro-abortion measures have been included in the appropriations bill - the Omnibus Appropriations Act (HR 1105) needed to finish up last year’s budget process. 

The bill was quickly brought to a vote in the House shortly after leaving the appropriations committee. However, before leaving the committee a rule was established that an hour of debate would be allowed by each party and it prohibited any amendments being added to the bill.

Pro-life Rep. Chris Smith had intended to offer two amendments keeping pro-life riders in affect.

-  Title X funding has been increased from $299 million to $307.5 million.  Much of this money will ultimately be given to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the world.

-   International family planning funds have been given an $88 million increase, from $457 million to $545 million.  Of course, these programs are disturbing for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it frees up other money for abortions as a means of family planning.

-   The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been given $50 million.  In recent years, President Bush has used his authority under the Kemp-Kasten Amendment to withhold funds from the UNFPA because of their support for China’s one-child policy that utilizes forced abortion.  This bill not only reverses that policy, but strips future Presidents of the right to withhold such funds.

Contact your Senators and ask them to restore pro-life provisions before supporting Omnibus Bill

 

Below is the letter to the Speaker of the House and the Appropriations and Rules Committee leadership asking that any legislation coming out of this committee retain these pro-life riders that have been in place for 30 years. Please contact these leaders and your member of Congress and ask that they maintain this important policy.

Nancy Pelosi - Speaker of the House
David Obey - Chairman, Appropriations Committee
Louise Slaughter - Chairwoman, Rules Committee


Dear Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Obey, and Chairwoman Slaughter:

We write to you today about critical pro‐life policies that may become contentious in the upcoming
appropriations process. As you know, for many years pro‐life measures have been added to the various
appropriations bills to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to promote or perform abortion,
protect the consciences of health care professionals, and prevent funding for unethical human embryo
experiments. Often referred to as pro‐life riders, each year these provisions are included in legislation
reported out of Appropriations subcommittees.

Some of these measures have been in place for over thirty years. The Hyde Amendment, for example,
has been in effect since 1976. Enacted under a Democratic Congress, the Hyde Amendment has been
renewed by administrations and congresses regardless of party control. Members of both parties have
expressed strong support for these measures, which reflect the moral concerns of many Americans who
do not wish to see their tax dollars used for any organization that provides abortion services.

We respectfully request that the pro‐life riders be included in any legislation reported out of the
Appropriations Committee. We believe that failure to include all of the current policies with regard to
the right to life will mark a radical departure from a policy a majority of Americans support. If you
choose to take such action, then we ask that the Rules Committee report a rule that allows for
consideration of any deleted riders on the floor of House of Representatives. The magnitude of this
issue and the history associated with it require no less. If this Congress intends to rescind these riders,
at a minimum the American people deserve a full debate with an up‐or‐down vote. Thank you for your
time and consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan
Member of Congress

Heath Shuler
Member of Congress

To Find your member of Congress