Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Republican lawmakers elected Representative Kevin McCarthy to be Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after 15 rounds of voting. Rep. McCarthy had to agree to a rules package to get the votes. Among the concessions: permanently banning federal money for abortions.
The Hyde Amendment blocks Medicaid funding for abortions, but this piece of legislation has to be renewed annually through the spending bill.
The GOP also seeks to require medical practitioners to provide appropriate care to babies born during botched abortions. The rules package passed on Monday night by a vote of 220-213. From Roll Call:
In 2019, House Republicans submitted more than 80 requests for unanimous consent to consider a bill they say would expand protections for these infants and pursued a procedural strategy known as a discharge petition hoping to expedite consideration of the bill.
Efforts to enact federal legislation continued, and so-called “born-alive” protections have been implemented in multiple states. Most recently, Montana voters rejected a 2022 ballot measure asking voters if the state should require medical care for infants born alive after induced labor, a cesarean section or attempted abortion.
The package also includes a resolution condemning recent attacks on anti-abortion groups and centers and churches.
SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser is optimistic about House Speaker McCarthy’s victory:
“Under Speaker McCarthy’s leadership, the GOP House majority will use their investigative and oversight powers to expose the radical Biden-Schumer agenda of abortion on demand without limits.
We look forward to working with Speaker McCarthy, GOP leadership and all our pro-life House allies to advance federal legislation that protects unborn children and their mothers from the horror of abortion.”
Photo credit: By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America – Kevin McCarthy, CC BY-SA 2.0, link
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