Defending Hyde: Why Taxpayers Must Not Fund Abortion

Written by David E. Smith

You’ve likely been hearing a lot lately about the Hyde Amendment—a vital, long-standing safeguard that has protected Americans for nearly fifty years from being forced to fund abortion with their tax dollars. Its purpose is straightforward and morally necessary: no citizen should be compelled to subsidize the taking of innocent human life.

The amendment is named for Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde, a courageous and principled pro-life leader who represented the 6th Congressional District from 1975 to 2007. In 1976, Hyde authored the amendment that bears his name, drawing a clear moral line in federal law: taxpayer funds must not be used to pay for abortions. Congress has reaffirmed that line every year since by including the Hyde Amendment in its annual appropriations bills.

That protection was deliberately undermined in 2010 with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. The law was deceptively structured to evade Hyde’s restrictions, opening the door for taxpayer dollars to flow to elective abortions. During the COVID era, Democrats and the Biden administration doubled down on this abuse by expanding Obamacare subsidies, further funneling public money to the abortion industry and effectively nullifying the intent of the Hyde Amendment.

As Congress now debates extending those Obamacare subsidies, a recent statement from President Donald Trump has understandably alarmed pro-life Americans. In discussing negotiations, the President urged Republicans to be “a little flexible on Hyde.” That is advice conservatives must firmly reject.

There can be no flexibility when it comes to forcing Americans to subsidize abortion. Abortion is not a budget line item—it is the taking of innocent human life. The Hyde Amendment represents a moral line in the sand, and it must not be crossed. Yet the House has already passed a bill extending COVID-era Obamacare subsidies without Hyde protections, and that legislation now sits in the U.S. Senate.

As negotiations continue, Congress must stand firm. Americans should never be compelled to finance the abortion cartel. Ultimately, Obamacare itself should be repealed, not expanded. But until that day comes, lawmakers must refuse to surrender the Hyde Amendment—even an inch.

Take ACTION: Please call and leave a message for Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, asking them to protect taxpayers and the preborn by ensuring the Hyde Amendment is adopted once again.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin: 

• • Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2152

  • Chicago, IL Office: (312) 353-4952

  • Springfield, IL Office: (217) 492-4062

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth:

• • Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2854

  • Chicago, IL Office: (312) 886-3506

  • Springfield, IL Office: (217) 528-6124