Idaho’s Mike Simpson joined with 179 other members of Congress in signing a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman David Obey, urging that they ensure that appropriations bills moved through the Congress retain the package of “pro-Life riders” which have become standard since the 1970’s.

The most well-known is the Hyde Amendment. These riders must be attached to appropriations bills in order to ensure that American taxpayers don’t pay for abortions.

The letter contains the signature of both Democrats and Republicans.

“We are grateful for Congressman Simpson’s leadership on this crucial issue,” said David Ripley, Executive Director of Idaho Chooses Life. “While the congressman is a member of the minority party, we believe his signature on this letter will carry special weight given his position on the House Appropriations Committee.”

Idaho Chooses Life wrote to Congressman Simpson last month, urging his signature on the letter, organized by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC).

The package of pro-Life riders protect not just taxpayers; some of the language protects the conscience rights of health care providers , while others deal with unethical medical research on aborted babies.

It appears that this effort has already had some impact. The omnibus appropriation bill now pending on the House floor reportedly contains most of these amendments. At this point, it appears that the big exception is one which specifically allows expanded funding of UNFPA- and removes the requirement that these international programs not use federal money in countries practicing coerced abortion.

It is hard to believe that Speaker Pelosi would take such a strong stand in defense of China’s coerced abortion policy, given her protestations of being an “advocate for women’s rights”. She and chairman Obey beat back an attempt by Rep. Chris Smith to strike this grossly anti-woman provision.

Labels: coerced abortions, Pelosi, Simpson, Smith