Kennedy, Wicker introduce bill to ban taxpayer funding for abortions, codify Hyde amendment

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and colleagues in reintroducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. The bill would permanently stop the flow of federal funding for abortion by establishing a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions.

"Big government is funneling Americans' hard-earned money to the radical abortion agenda. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would take federal dollars out of abortion procedures, respect taxpayers and help protect more unborn children," said Kennedy.

"Millions of Americans share my belief that unborn life should be protected in the womb. Using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is wrong. My Senate Republican colleagues and I will continue fighting to preserve life," said Wicker.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act in the House of Representatives.

For decades, a haphazard set of policies like the Hyde Amendment have regulated federal funding for abortion. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would permanently restrict federal funding for elective abortion and elective abortion coverage. The bill would also clarify that federal health insurance plans that cover abortion services are not eligible for subsidies or inclusion on the Affordable Care Act exchange.

Full text of the bill is here.