Doug Bereuter: “This Member rises today in opposition to the amendment by the gentlewoman from New York that would strike the language…”

“This Member rises today in opposition to the amendment by the gentlewoman from New York that would strike the language in the bill that clarifies the congressional intent regarding the interpretation of the Hyde amendment. This Member was one of the first Members of Congress to speak against the 1993 Clinton administration directive that required States to fund Medicaid abortions in cases of rape or incest. This directive is an unjustified and incorrect interpretation of the law and of congressional intent. It is certainly not the intent of Congress to mandate States to fund Medicaid abortions in the case of rape or incest, regardless of State law. The 1993 Hyde amendment to public law is clearly not a mandate, but an enlargement on the limitation on the use of Federal funds, allowing States to use Medicaid funds to finance abortions in the case of rape or incest and of course to save the life on an indigent mother. The language in the bill we are considering today, once and for all, clarifies the original congressional intent in statute. Mr. Chairman, this Member urges his colleagues to oppose the Lowey amendment.”