U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is leading efforts to end the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortion, both at home and abroad.

Wicker was joined by 46 other senators Thursday in reintroducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, which would make permanent the Hyde Amendment restrictions on using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions.

“Using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is wrong,” Wicker said. “Millions of American taxpayers believe unborn life deserves protection in the womb. I am glad to join so many of my colleagues to introduce this legislation, which would guarantee taxpayers that their money will never support the taking of innocent human life.”

Current policies that regulate federal funding for abortions — like the long-standing Hyde Amendment — have to be reapproved annually and can be terminated at any time. The bill would eliminate the need for annual action and ensure a permanent, government-wide prohibition on funding for abortions.

In addition, the legislation would:

• Prohibit funding for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortions with funds authorized or appropriated by federal law.
• Prohibit abortion in federal health facilities such as DOD and VA hospitals and ensure that no federal employee provides abortion services in the course of their employment.
• Make permanent the provisions of the D.C. Hyde Amendment, or the Dornan Amendment, which clarifies that federal provisions regarding abortion funding also apply to the government of the District of Columbia.
• Ensure that election abortion is not deductible for tax purposes by amending Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Ensure that Affordable Care Act premium assistance subsidies provided in the form of refundable, advanceable tax credits are not used to pay for health insurance plans that include abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk.

 

Abortions abroad

In addition, Wicker released Thursday a statement condemning Pres. Biden’s decision to revoke the Mexico City Policy, which has prohibited U.S. funds from supporting abortions in foreign countries.

“I am disappointed that one of Joe Biden’s first actions as president is to reverse the Mexico City Policy, which protects American tax dollars from funding abortions abroad,” Wicker said. “Tax dollars should never support the taking of innocent life, whether at home or abroad. By reversing this pro-life protection, the Biden Administration has shown disregard for the consciences of millions of American taxpayers.”

The Mexico City Policy is a federal rule that barred foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or actively promote abortion from receiving U.S. aid. First implemented under the Reagan Administration, it was most recently reinstated and expanded under the Trump Administration.