Don Nickles: “from 1984 through 1993, language was included as part of the Treasury/Postal Service appropriations bills which…”

“from 1984 through 1993, language was included as part of the Treasury/Postal Service appropriations bills which prohibited taxpayer money from going to fund abortions through Federal employee health benefits plans. In 1993, President Clinton pushed a change in that policy through Congress. For 2 years, people who were unalterably opposed to abortion were forced to pay for an estimated 17,000 abortions each year for any reason. In 1995, Congress restored the policy of restricting abortion funding and has continued to maintain that policy. The narrow question before us today is whether Americans who stand in defense of life should be forced to pay for its destruction with their taxes. I do not believe they should and thus strongly support my colleague from Ohio's amendment. Whether they choose to call themselves pro-choice or pro-life, the American people overwhelmingly reject public financing of abortion. A CBS/New York Times poll conducted in April 1993, about health care reform issues asked adults what should be included in a basic, Government-subsidized health care plan. Only 23 percent thought abortion should be covered. Some 72 percent said abortion should not be included a benefit in a Government-sponsored health plan. A Wirthlin poll conducted in May 1992, found that 55 percent of Americans opposed using tax dollars to pay for abortions for women who cannot afford to pay for them.”