March 22, 2024
National Right to Life Statement on the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Minibus)
The FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Minibus) retains critical long-standing pro-life protections. The Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from paying for abortion, is included in the Minibus. The Hyde Amendment has proven to be the greatest domestic abortion-reduction measure ever enacted by Congress. The Hyde Amendment is widely recognized as having saved over 2.5 million American lives since it was first adopted in 1976. The impact of the life-affirming Hyde Amendment cannot be overstated.
Additional long-standing Hyde-like provisions have been included in the Minibus as well. These include prohibitions on funding of abortions in health plans for federal employees and in the District of Columbia – to name a few. Further, the Helms amendment prevents paying for abortion in foreign spending, and the Weldon Amendment protects those who have a conscience-based objection to abortion. All of these provisions have been included in the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
That said, National Right to Life is disappointed to see two Senate earmarks funding hospitals that provide abortions late in pregnancy (up to 22 weeks). $1.8 million is being allocated to Women and Infants Hospital’s midwifery unit in Providence, RI. This hospital performs elective abortions up to 22 weeks, both surgical and medical. Similarly, $650,000 is being dedicated to facilities and equipment for Dartmouth Hitchcock Nashua, NH.
Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have filed amendments to strike these provisions from the Minibus. National Right to Life strongly supports their efforts.