Congressional Republicans Need to Strengthen, Not Weaken, Hyde Protections |
The extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies has become a very salient policy issue in the new year. At a Tuesday policy retreat at the Kennedy Center, President Trump told House Republicans that they need to be a “little flexible” regarding the Hyde amendment — the annual provision that largely prevents federal tax dollars from paying for elective abortions. President Trump’s comments generated a firestorm of criticism from beltway pro-life groups — who insist that Hyde protections are non-negotiable in any legislation that extends federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
Pro-lifers have a strong point. In fact, the current negotiations over extending Affordable Care Act subsidies are actually an apt time to strengthen, rather than weaken, Hyde amendment protections. Some history is........