A leading Democrat pushed for an end to the Hyde Amendment that prohibits federal funding going to abortions, saying that abortion advocates need to take the initiative.
“It is time for us to go on offense now,” Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., said on the Supreme Court steps on the same day the justices hear arguments in a major abortion case.
“We have been acquiescent to the Hyde Amendment for way too long,” said Schakowsky, sponsor of the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act of 2015. The bill ensures that women who get insurance through the federal government, including those on Medicaid, can be covered for abortions.
The Hyde Amendment has generally been added to each appropriations bill since the 1970s.
Schakowsky’s bill appears to be a nonstarter in the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Schakowsky is the top Democrat on the House Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood, which will hold its first hearing Wednesday.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday is hearing the case Whole West Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a challenge to Texas’ strict 2013 state law that implemented new requirements on abortion clinics and providers. The law requires state clinics to meet ambulatory surgical requirements and abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges.
