Photo credit: Gage Skidmore (CC-By-SA 2.0)
(Washington, DC) Today marks the 40 anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, bipartisan policy that prevents taxpayer funds from being used to pay for abortion on-demand through Medicaid. A new report from the Charlotte Lozier Institute calculates that more than 2 million lives have been saved by the Hyde Amendment since its first enactment.
In honor of the anniversary, the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List today publicly launched the “Save Hyde” Declaration. More than 13,000 grassroots activists and 35 federal legislators have signed on in support of the amendment and in opposition to Hillary Clinton’s pledge to repeal it.
“Thanks to the leadership of the great Henry Hyde, more than two million people – each one of them created and sent to this world for a purpose – are alive today. For decades, the Hyde Amendment has protected unborn children as well as the conscience rights of pro-life taxpayers who do not want to be complicit in abortion,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List.
“A majority of Americans oppose the use of their taxes to fund abortion,” Dannenfelser continued. “In the face of this 40-year consensus, the two presidential candidates have staked out opposite positions. Donald Trump wants to enshrine this policy into law, while Hillary Clinton wants to repeal it. Her radical support for forcing taxpayers to fund abortion on-demand, up until the moment of birth is out of step – even with members of her own party. The distinction between the candidates here could not be more clear. SBA List is working to ensure voters understand Clinton’s radical views on abortion. Out of step with women, Hispanics, and even Democrats, this position should and will hurt her chances for victory November 8th.”
In a letter to pro-life leaders released last week, Donald Trump reiterated his pro-life commitments including his pledge to “[make] he Hyde Amendment permanent law to protect taxpayers from having to pay for abortions.”
Hillary Clinton has pledged to rescind the Hyde Amendment. For the first time, the platform ratified by Democrats this summer explicitly calls for the repeal of this policy.
A Marist poll released in July found that a majority of Americans (62 percent) oppose taxpayer funding of abortion, including 63 percent of women, 45 percent of those who say they are “pro-choice” and 44 percent of Democrats.