Pro-Life Movement Rejects Trump’s Stance on Hyde Amendment

The pro-life movement is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s suggestion to be “a little bit flexible” regarding the Hyde Amendment, which bars taxpayer-funded abortions.

During a House Republican retreat, Trump urged some leniency around Hyde, a policy that has been part of appropriations legislation since 1976.

Currently, the Hyde Amendment does not apply to Obamacare. Many congressional Republicans insist they won’t support any health care deal that lacks provisions preventing federal funds from covering abortion services.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, stated, “To suggest Republicans should be ‘flexible’ is an abandonment of this decades-long commitment. If Republicans abandon Hyde, they are sure to lose this November.”

She emphasized that the pro-life stance is clear: “No Hyde, no deal.”

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, echoed this sentiment, asserting that there is no room for compromise when it comes to the Hyde Amendment. “Abortion and gender experimentation are not health care,” he remarked, calling for taxpayers to be allowed to opt out of funding such services.

Trump previously mentioned to The Daily Signal that abortion funding would play a role in the decision about extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which ultimately expired at the end of the year.

Year after year, Democrats have supported appropriations bills that include the Hyde Amendment.

Representative Robert Aderholt from Alabama noted that “the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2.6 million innocent lives,” reaffirming his steadfast commitment to these protections.

Jennie Bradley Lichter, president of the March for Life, described Hyde as a “pro-life 101” principle—something foundational that saves lives and is broadly accepted by the American public. “Forcing Americans to fund abortions with their taxpayer dollars is bad policy and bad politics,” she said.

Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins added, “Life is not something we will ever be ‘flexible’ about!”

Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma expressed that he cannot compromise on Hyde, saying he needs clarity on Trump’s comments.

“I’m not flexible on the value of every child’s life,” he told Politico. “Children are valuable, so I need to understand what he meant by that.”

Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, argued that compelling taxpayers to fund abortions is “unjust” and politically unpopular, urging congressional Republicans to stand firm on Hyde.

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that the Hyde Amendment is non-negotiable and emphasized that induced abortion is not a form of healthcare.

Dannenfelser warned that straying from pro-life principles could alienate various voter groups in the upcoming midterms, citing that failing to address issues like abortion pill distribution could lead to significant losses for the GOP.