Letter to Nancy Pelosi, David Obey and Liouse Slaughter, House of Representatives Leaders

Letter

Reps. Shuler, Jordan Send Letter to House Leadership Supporting Pro-Life Riders

U.S Representatives Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to leaders in the House of Representatives today requesting that all traditional pro-life protections be kept in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills.

Pro-life "riders" have been in appropriations bills since 1976, through both Democratic and Republican Congresses and Administrations. The riders prevent taxpayer funds from being used to perform or support abortions and the organizations that perform them.

The letter, signed by 180 pro-life members from both parties, urges Congressional leaders to maintain the integrity of the riders or, at a minimum, allow an up-or-down vote on each amendment on the House floor.

"As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to protect life at all its stages, from conception to natural death," Rep. Shuler stated. "I am proud to stand up with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to fight for the rights of the unborn."

The entire text of the letter is below.

Nancy Pelosi David Obey Louise Slaughter
Speaker of the House Chairman, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman, Rules
Committee
H-232 The Capitol H-218 The Capitol H-312 The Capitol

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 Heath Shuler
Member of Congress Member of Congress

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