Pelosi accused of muzzling opposition to taxpayer-funded D.C. abortions

Washington D.C., Jul 18, 2009 / 05:12 am

Despite bipartisan efforts from pro-life congressmen, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed legislation allowing taxpayer-funded abortion in the District of Columbia. One pro-lifer charged that opponents had been “muzzled” by Nancy Pelosi.

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act passed by a vote of 219 to 208. It contained provisions which allowed local D.C. taxpayer money to be used on abortions and expanded the exemptions to fund abortions “where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury or physical illness.”

The House refused to consider a bipartisan amendment by Reps. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and Lincoln Davis (D-TN). By a vote of 216-213, the House blocked the Tiahrt/Davis Amendment and several other amendments from receiving an up-or-down vote on the House floor.

Earlier in 2009, 180 members of Congress signed a letter to the House Democratic Leadership asking for an up-or-down vote on any elimination of pro-life riders banning taxpayer funding for abortion.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, said pro-life leaders in the House used “every tool at their disposal” to defend the unborn.

She charged that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had “muzzled” both Republicans and Democrats who supported the pro-life measures.

“President Obama's decision to force American taxpayers to foot the bill for abortions in the District of Columbia will cause the deaths of at least 1,000 more unborn children each year,” Dannenfelser remarked.

“President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are on a collision course with broad public opposition to taxpayer-funding for abortion.”

She thanked Republican and Democratic pro-life leaders for “their strong, compelling fight to honor the women of the District of Columbia with life-affirming solutions that help both mother and child.”