Speaker Boehner on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) spoke on the House floor today in support of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Pledge to America legislation that codifies the Hyde Amendment and similar policies by permanently applying a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion across all federal programs. Following are the video and full text of Boehner’s remarks:
“I rise to express my support for H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation codifies the Hyde Amendment and similar policies by permanently applying a ban on taxpayer funding of abortion across all federal programs.
“Last year, we listened to the American people through our America Speaking Out project, and they spoke out on this issue – loudly and clearly. We included it in our Pledge to America, and today we are taking another step toward keeping that commitment and keeping our word.
“A ban on taxpayer funding of abortion is the will of the American people and ought to be the law of the land. But the law, particularly as it is currently enforced, does not reflect the will of the people. This has created additional uncertainty given that Americans are concerned not just about how much we’re spending, but how we’re spending it.
“Enacting this legislation would provide the American people with the assurance that their hard-earned tax dollars will not be used to fund abortions. I commend the leadership of the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, and the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski. And I urge my colleagues to support the measure.”