Washington D.C., Jul 18, 2009 / 05:12 am
Despite bipartisan efforts from pro-life congressmen, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed legislation allowing taxpayer-funded abortion in the District of Columbia. One pro-lifer charged that opponents had been “muzzled” by Nancy Pelosi.
The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act passed by a vote of 219 to 208. It contained provisions which allowed local D.C. taxpayer money to be used on abortions and expanded the exemptions to fund abortions “where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury or physical illness.”
The House refused to consider a bipartisan amendment by Reps. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and Lincoln Davis (D-TN). By a vote of 216-213, the House blocked the Tiahrt/Davis Amendment and several other amendments from receiving an up-or-down vote on the House floor.
Earlier in 2009, 180 members of Congress signed a letter to the House Democratic Leadership asking for an up-or-down vote on any elimination of pro-life riders banning taxpayer funding for abortion.