Marino Co-Sponsore of 'No Funding for Abortion' Act

Press Release

Citing the protection of children as a main responsibility of Congress, U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, PA-10, voted in favor of HR3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act on Wednesday.

Marino, a co-sponsor of the bill, mentioned his two adopted children in the statement he submitted to the Congressional Record, noting: "…every day that I spend with my children reminds me that all lives are precious."

The House passed the bill by a 251-175 vote.

HR3 codifies the Hyde Amendment and similar provisions to ensure that American tax funds are not used to pay for or subsidize abortion.

Marino said current law consists of a "patchwork of riders" to appropriations legislation or executive orders.

"Instead of relying on the whims of the annual appropriations process or any easily revocable order by the President, it is time to put into law the prohibition against using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions," he said.

THIS IS REP. MARINO'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT THAT WAS ENTERED INTO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. I believe strongly that every human life should be protected, whether born or yet to be born. As the father of two adopted children this issue is very personal to me; every day that I spend with my children reminds me that all lives are precious. Protecting the lives of innocent children should be the responsibility of Congress and this legislation represents an important step in the right direction.

Currently, we rely on a patchwork of "riders" to appropriations legislation or Executive orders to protect American taxpayers from funding abortions. As the debate on the health care legislation transpired during the last Congress, we saw first-hand the problem with continuing to rely on this draconian process. Instead of relying on the whims of the annual appropriations process or any easily revocable order by the President, it is time to put into law the prohibition against using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions. The Federal government should not, directly or indirectly, provide any funding for abortion services and this legislation is critical to ensuring these prohibitions exist.

As you can see, I believe one of the largest responsibilities of Congress is to provide the utmost protection for our nation's children -- including the lives of the unborn. It is time that we enact one, consistent policy to eliminate any problems or confusion about abortion funding in future legislation. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.

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