Westmoreland Votes to Terminate Taxpayer Funding of Abortions

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3 the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. This legislation codifies the long-standing, bipartisan agreement known as the Hyde Amendment that restricts the use of taxpayer money on abortion-related costs. It was drafted in response to the unprecedented expansion of the federal government's role in health insurance and health care under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.

"It's disgraceful that taxpayer might could be used to pay for abortions in this country," stated Westmoreland. "I am adamantly opposed to abortions, as are many residents in Georgia's Third Congressional District, and the thought that tax money forcibly collected from me by the federal government would be used to perform abortions goes against every fiber of my being."

During debate on ObamaCare, it was discovered that Democratic lawmakers had inserted language allowing federal funds to be used to pay for abortion-related expenses. President Obama, hounded by the conservative and pro-life members of his caucus, finally issued Executive Order 13535 directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure taxpayer money will not be used for abortion funding. However, he can amend or rescind that order at any time as can his successors. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would ensure something like that could not happen in the future.

"Even with the president's Executive Order, the huge amount of federal subsidies of insurance plans that cover elective abortions found in ObamaCare still means American taxpayer money could be used to pay for abortions," stated Westmoreland. "The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, codifying the Hyde Amendment, will now permanently prevent the use of taxpayer money for abortions or abortion-related expenses and I applaud its passage."

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act passed in the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 251-175. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate. Currently, no vote has been scheduled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

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