On January 24, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (
238-183).
FCCB is grateful for the members of the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network who responded promptly to our call to action. By contacting your Congressperson, you gave a voice to vulnerable children in the womb.
This important pro-life legislation places in permanent law a consistent federal policy restricting subsidies for abortion and abortion coverage. Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment and other policies governing the funding of abortion have enjoyed bi-partisan support. However, there have been inconsistencies in application, and most of these policies must be renewed every year. H.R. 7 corrects these inadequacies. The bill will also have to be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by the president in order to become the law of the land.
Executive action was also taken last week to protect unborn life. On January 23, President Trump issued a memorandum restoring the Mexico City Policy and extending its requirements to all U.S. global assistance. First announced at the United Nation's 1984 Conference on Population in Mexico City, the Mexico City Policy requires foreign-based non-governmental organizations receiving U.S. aid to certify that they will not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in developing nations.