Calling All

Major Pro-life Legislation Before Congress As early as next week (the week of May 2) the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up a major pro-life priority, HR 3—the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Lake County Right to Life strongly supports this bill and the actions of House leaders advancing it. HR 3 would reinforce a policy having overwhelmingly public support—according to an April CNN poll, Americans oppose public funding of abortion by a margin of 61% to 35%.

Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment has prevented federal funding of elective abortion in the Medicaid program. More than one million Americans are alive today because of the Hyde Amendment.

However, the Hyde amendment needs yearly renewal, leading to a debate in Congress during consideration of annual appropriations bills. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would settle the issue by making the Hyde Amendment permanent. Funding of abortion in any federal program, except to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest, would be permanently prohibited.

HR 3 faces an uphill battle—President Obama has previously called for a repeal of the Hyde Amendment and will use the full power of his office to block passage of HR3. In 2009, he helped block similar language from the health care bill. Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and other pro-abortion groups have been attacking HR 3 and its supporters, distorting the contents of the bill and characterizing it as part of a “Republican war on women.” However, there is nothing in the bill that would change current law regarding access to abortion.

Please contact Rep. Robert Dold (IL 10) and urge him to support HR 3. We thank Rep. Joe Walsh (IL 8) for co-sponsoring the bill and encourage pro-lifers convey their thanks to him. We especially commend Democratic Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL 3) for his courage and leadership in sponsoring HR3.