Hal Rogers: “The provision in this bill the amendment seeks to strike does one thing only, it prohibits Federal tax dollars from…”

“The provision in this bill the amendment seeks to strike does one thing only, it prohibits Federal tax dollars from paying for abortions for Federal prison inmates except in the case of rape or the life of the mother. The bill requires that the Bureau of Prisons escort inmates to a private facility if they want abortion services. The provision that we have in the bill, Mr. Chairman, is a long-standing provision. It has been carried in nine of the last 10 bills that we have brought to the floor of the House. The House rejected this very same amendment to last year's appropriations bill by a vote of 155-264, the previous year by a voice vote, and two years ago by a vote of 146-281. Time and again, the House has debated this issue of whether Federal tax dollars should pay for abortion. The answer has always been 'no.' I urge the House to say 'no' again. I urge rejection of the gentlewoman's amendment.”