Pro-Life report on Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations markup

Yesterday, the House Committee on Appropriations passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill by a vote of 33-26.

The bill removed a longstanding provision prohibiting the funding of abortions for federal prisoners. First enacted for FY1987, this provision has been in effect continuously since FY1996.

During the mark-up, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) offered an amendment to restore the pro-life provision. The Aderholt Amendment was defeated by a vote of 25-32.

Pro-Life report on House Appropriations Committee markup of FY2022 Labor, Health and Services and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill

Thursday, July 15, 2021, the full House Appropriations Committee passed the FY2022 Labor, Health and Services and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill by a vote of 33-25.

The bill did not contain the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer funding for domestic elective abortions. The Hyde Amendment, which has been annually renewed on a bipartisan basis for over 40 years (since 1976), has saved more than 2.4 million lives. Nearly 60% of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.

The bill did not contain the Weldon Amendment, which prevents Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding recipients from discriminating against health care providers because they refuse to provide, pay for, or refer for abortion.

LHHS Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) offered an amendment to reinstate the Hyde Amendment and the Weldon Amendment. The amendment was cosponsored by every Republican Member of the Committee. The Cole Amendment failed by a vote of 27-32. All Republicans and Rep. Henry Cuellar (R-TX) voted in support of the Hyde Amendment.