On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
I am pro-choice. But that is a question of deep conscience, religious conviction, and of personal importance to every individual and every family. One of the great conservatives who has served in this institution was Henry Hyde. The Hyde amendment, which has been the law of the land since it was passed by Mr. Hyde, says that there shall not be public funds that are used to pay for abortions. That is true now. It has been true for decades since that law was passed. It reflects a certain mutual respect that we can have differences of opinion, even on matters of profound religious conviction, moral conviction, and moral belief. This is not about abortion. The Hyde amendment is the law of the land. Federal funds cannot be used under this provision to provide abortions. What this is about is whether primary and preventive care is going to be extended, oftentimes to poor people, but also to vulnerable middle class people by Planned Parenthood clinics throughout this country, including 10 in Vermont that are doing a tremendous job for people who really need this care. Is this Congress big enough, generous enough that it can allow those with different points of view on this question of choice to coexist as long as we have the separation with the Hyde amendment? It has not been abolished. It is intact.
