Pro-Life Groups Defend Hyde Amendment Amid Health Care Discussions

Pro-life organizations are emphasizing that the Hyde Amendment is “non-negotiable” after President Trump suggested that Republicans should be “flexible” as they work on the health care bill.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Pro-Life America, articulated that Trump should not entertain the idea of removing Hyde protections from healthcare discussions.

“For decades, standing against taxpayer funding for abortion and supporting the Hyde Amendment has been a fundamental principle and a minimal standard for the Republican Party,” she stated. “Suggesting flexibility is essentially abandoning this long-standing commitment. If Republicans turn their backs on Mr. Hyde, they risk losing this November.”

The Hyde Amendment, established in 1976, prohibits federal funds for most elective abortions and is named after former Representative Henry Hyde, a Republican from Illinois.

In a speech to House Republicans, Trump remarked, “We’re going to have to be a little flexible about Mr. Hyde.” He continued with, “You know, you have to work on something. You have to be inventive. You have to work.”

While Republicans want to maintain the Hyde Amendment in certain health care negotiations, Democrats are against its inclusion.

Dannenfelser asserted that shifting from core principles would not align with voter expectations. “Voters sent the Republican trifecta to Washington and expect them to govern as such,” she said. “Caving to Democratic demands for taxpayer-funded abortion programs would be a serious betrayal.”

Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America, underscored the necessity of including the Hyde Amendment in the reform bill and stated that neglecting it would signal a pro-abortion stance. In another post, she expressed that the Republican Party, including Trump, needs to understand that disregarding the pro-life movement doesn’t yield favorable electoral outcomes.

This stands in contrast to Trump’s previous executive order aimed at enforcing the Hyde Amendment, criticizing the Biden administration for integrating taxpayer funding for elective abortions into federal programs.

Fox News Digital has sought a response from the White House regarding these developments.