House passes bill to ban federal government funding of abortions

The House approved Tuesday legislation that will put in place a complete ban on taxpayer funding of abortions that ensures abortions are not directly funded in any federal governmental program or department, including Planned Parenthood.

The House voted 227-188 for the bill with 221 Republicans and 6 Democrats voting to ban taxpayer funding of abortions under HR7 while 187 Democrats and one Republican voted against it.

“This legislation prohibits taxpayer funding of elective abortions, no matter where in the federal system that might occur. This is a position supported by the majority of Americans in a bipartisan manner. We have a responsibility, through our government, to protect the most vulnerable among us, not the least of whom are the unborn. This bill is an important step in the right direction,” said Tom Price, R-GA.

The bill has no chance of passing the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats or getting by the veto power of the President.

Eleven states have passed laws specifically restricting abortion 20 weeks after conception or 22 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period, although not all of those laws are in force and some have been challenged in court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in May struck down an Arizona law barring abortion 18 weeks after conception.

“The practice of murdering viable unborn children who can feel pain must end,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R., N.C.), who wept during her closing speech on the House floor.