Republican Senators Tim Scott (SC), Steve Daines (MT), James Lankford (OK), and 45 other anti-abortion GOP senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Wednesday vowing to block any legislation that would allow taxpayer funding of abortions.
The letter urged unwavering support of the Hyde Amendment that has long ensured restrictions regarding taxpayer funding of abortion services.
“We write to express our unwavering support for the Hyde Amendment and all other longstanding pro-life protections. For more than 45 years, the Hyde Amendment has ensured that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions, saving the lives of nearly 2.5 million preborn children. As you know, the Hyde Amendment is supported by both a substantial majority of the American public and a bipartisan majority of sitting United States Senators, and was most recently signed into law by President Biden,” the senators wrote.
“On February 5, 2021, we wrote to you that ‘[w]e are committed to vote against the advancement of any legislation that would eliminate or weaken the Hyde Amendment or any other current-law pro-life protections, or otherwise undermine existing Federal pro-life policy.’ We firmly renew this commitment for FY 2023,” it added.
The senators strongly urged the Senate to continue with the same longstanding commitment in the upcoming fiscal year to protect young lives and keep American taxpayer funds from supporting abortion.
“We urge you to start where we finished by making a baseline commitment to maintain the same pro-life protections that were included in [FY22 Appropriations], and to eschew any taxpayer-funded giveaways that benefit the multi-billion-dollar abortion industry,” the letter stated.
Multiple pro-life organizations have endorsed the letter, according to a press release from Scott’s office. This letter is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony List, Family Research Council, March for Life, Catholic Vote, National Right to Life, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Americans United for Life, Concerned Women for America, and Alliance Defending Freedom.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins were the only two Republicans who did not sign the letter.
“For more than 45 years, the Hyde Amendment has ensured that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions,” Scott posted to Twitter.
“I’m proud to stand with so many of my colleagues in pledging to vote against any legislation that puts Hyde at risk,” he added.
For more than 45 years, the Hyde Amendment has ensured that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions.
I'm proud to stand with so many of my colleagues in pledging to vote against any legislation that puts Hyde at risk.https://t.co/junngSPhn7— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) June 2, 2022
Scott has spoken out repeatedly in recent weeks following a leaked Supreme Court opinion from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito that could overturn Roe v. Wade and return laws regarding abortion to individual states.
“There are some people who aim to devalue life in low-income communities,” Scott said in a recent interview on the issue.
There are some people who aim to devalue life in low-income communities.
But I know from experience that some of the most remarkable things come out of the most challenging places. pic.twitter.com/7ezLz11aDW— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) May 26, 2022
“But I know from experience that some of the most remarkable things come out of the most challenging places,” he added.
The ruling in the leaked Supreme Court case remains pending and is expected this month as the nation continues to await the important decision.