Davis Reaffirms His Support for the Hyde Amendment and Opposition to Taxpayer-Funded Abortion

Statement

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) issued the following statement reaffirming his support for the Hyde Amendment and opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion:

"As a pro-life lawmaker, I've supported the bipartisan Hyde Amendment since coming to Congress. It has been vital to protecting the First Amendment and conscience rights of pro-life Americans and also taxpayers who don't think their hard-earned tax dollars should fund abortion. House Democrats' attempts to expand taxpayer-funded abortion are wrong and out of step with most Americans' views on this issue. I will continue to advocate for life and the Hyde Amendment's continued inclusion in government funding legislation."

The Hyde Amendment, first enacted in 1976 and named after former Republican Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, barred the use of federal taxpayer dollars funding abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. The Hyde Amendment has received bipartisan support since its inception.

Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, held a hearing on the Hyde Amendment. Some House Democrats are seeking to repeal the Hyde Amendment and allow for taxpayer funding of elective abortions. Public opinion polling in recent years has shown that a majority of Americans supports the Hyde Amendment and opposes public funding of abortion.

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