Last-Minute Reprieve for the Hyde Amendment
Updated: Nov 8, 2021
August 13th, 2021
Last-Minute Reprieve for the Hyde Amendment!
Last Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package by a bipartisan 69-30 vote, with 19 Republicans joining all Democrats.
And thanks to Senators Lankford and Manchin, the final Senate bill preserved the Hyde Amendment.
Despite a push from Democrats to do away with the Hyde Amendment, the Senate adopted an amendment late Tuesday evening to preserve the longstanding provision that prohibits taxpayer funding of abortion in the budget resolution.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) proposed the Lankford Amendment. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) was the lone Democrat to vote in its favor.
"For decades, the Hyde Amendment enjoyed broad bipartisan support. This ultimate victory was a scant 50-49, with senators voting almost entirely along party lines," points out Susan S. Arnall, Esq., the Right to Life League's Director of Outreach and Engagement.
"While we celebrate this slim victory, let's remain vigilant. The fact is the Lankford Amendment is non-binding and won’t necessarily be included in the House of Representatives version, or any subsequent budget legislation. We must continue to advocate for the Hyde Amendment so that taxpayers never pay for abortion on demand."