Rep. Bacon to Co-Sponsor H.R. 7 and H.R. 490

Press Release

Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) has signed on to co-sponsor two Pro-Life bills including House Resolutions 7 and 490, HR. 7 also known as the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017 will consolidate patchwork policies that prohibit federal funding for abortions. H.R. 490, known as the Heartbeat Bill introduced by Rep. Steve King (IA-4) would require physicians to detect the heartbeat and prohibit the abortion of a baby with a beating heart.

The Hyde amendment, first enacted in 1976, is the protection of taxpayer dollars being used to fund most abortions and abortion coverage through government programs like Medicaid. Hyde has to be renewed annually in government spending bills and only covers funds appropriated through Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation bills.

"A poll conducted this month shows that over 60% of Americans agree that the government should not fund abortion including 40% of those who identify as pro-choice" stated Congressman Bacon. "Our nation should invest in women's health, not abortion because it is not healthcare. The government should not incentivize abortion through its funding policies."

The largest deviation from this policy was established in 2010, as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by allowing premium assistance credits to be directed to health insurance coverage that includes abortion. The ACA expressly allows funding for plans that include abortion and is in complete contradiction to the Hyde Amendment.

The Heartbeat Bill will make abortions illegal as soon as the fetus' heartbeat can be detected.

The bill will require all physicians to detect the heartbeat of an unborn child before conducting an abortion. Mothers cannot be prosecuted for having an abortion, however, physicians can be prosecuted for performing an abortion with the exception of saving the life of the mother due to physical harm, illness, or injury as a result of the pregnancy.

"I will work tirelessly to advance the rights of the unborn to ensure a culture of life throughout our great nation, These bills accomplish this while also protecting the health and physical well-being of women." concluded Congressman Bacon.

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