The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to pass a bill that would allow U.S. tax dollars to pay for abortions around the world.
The new bill, according to CBN News, repeals the Helms Amendment, which ensured that taxpayer dollars are not used for international abortions.
The House voted 217 to 212 in favor of the bill. Only three Democrats voted against it.
“It’s been almost 50 years, and this is the first vote on Helms repeal ever, since it began in 1973. To say that we are excited is an understatement. It really is history being made,” said Bethany Van Kampen, senior policy adviser with the international pro-choice group Ipas.
A Marist poll taken in January found that 77 percent of Americans oppose using federal dollars for international abortions. The poll also showed that 55 percent of Democrats, 85 percent of Independents and 95 percent of Republicans opposed using taxpayer dollars for international abortions.
“Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for child dismemberment— including severing arms and legs and decapitation with sharp knives—or deadly poisons or drugs like RU–486, which starves the baby to death,” he said. “Children alive but not yet born who are killed by abortion at 20 weeks or later experience excruciating suffering and physical pain.”
He added that funds would better be used for American mothers and other healthcare needs.
“Rather than funding the death of a baby, I believe we must increase access to maternal and prenatal care and ensure access to safe blood and better nutrition. We must also expand essential obstetrical services, including skilled birth attendants, while improving transportation to emergency care facilities to significantly reduce maternal mortality and morbidity,” he said.
In another possible measure, 288 Republicans from the House and Senate are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
