When Congress returns from recess on July 4, an crucial subcommittee will make a decision that could impact taxpayer-funded abortions for years to come.
The Subcommittee on Financial Services and the General Government, chaired by Rep. José Serrano (D-NY), will vote on whether to include legislation to allow government-funded abortions in the District of Columbia, provided they were paid for by local taxes rather than funds federal.
President Obama is directly responsible for this change because the wording of the “Dornan Amendment” was changed as a result of a budget recommendation issued by his office. The Dornan Amendment has prohibited taxpayer funding of abortion since 1996, but Obama would change this by adding the word “federal” before the word “funds” in this part of the amendment, thus allowing the utilize of “local” funds:
None of [Federal] Funds appropriated under this bill will be spent on all abortions except when the mother’s life would be in danger if the fetus were carried to term or when the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.
Joy Yearout, communications director of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, hoped the Subcommittee would rescind Obama’s directive.
“There is still time for the House Appropriations Committee to reintroduce the Dornan Amendment at next week’s hearing,” she said. “Americans overwhelmingly oppose funding abortion on demand, and taxes spent in our nation’s capital should respect taxpayers’ conscience.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, estimated that 1,000 more abortions would be performed in the District of Columbia if the Dornan Amendment were allowed to pass. Last week, she spoke at a press conference alongside Republican Reps. Jean Schmidt (Ohio), Virginia Foxx (North Carolina), Michele Bachmann (Minnese) and Mary Fallin (Okla.).
Fallin said Obama’s proposal “represents a giant step in the wrong direction.”
“His plan will increase the total number of abortions performed in our nation’s capital and allow minors to have taxpayer-funded abortions without parental consent,” she said.
The vote on the amendment in the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government is scheduled for July 7. If no changes are made to the bill by then, it is possible that objections will be filed when the bill reaches the House of Representatives.
