Press Releases

 

The introduction of the No Federal Funds for Abortion Travel Expenses Act of 2022 comes after the Senate included in its FY23 LHHS appropriations bill a $350 million Abortion Travel Fund for individuals living in pro-life states to travel to obtain abortions, and after the Administration has called for federal action to expand access to abortion travel.

 

In June in the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to handle the issue of abortion themselves and ending more than 49 years of heartbreaking federal precedent. Living in a post-Roe world, we must do everything we can to keep fighting for the rights of the unborn. After the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, President Joe Biden directed his administration to find ways to provide increased access to abortions. He released an executive order that directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to “consider any action to advance access to reproductive healthcare services, including through Medicaid for patients who travel out of state for reproductive healthcare services.” Sen. Patty Murray’s (D-WA) egregious abortion travel funding bill is a stark violation of the Hyde Amendment.

 

Rep. Norman’s No Federal Funds for Abortion Travel Expenses Act of 2022 is a retaliation to this. It prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion through financial or logistical support to individuals traveling to another state or country to receive an abortion.

 

Original cosponsors include: Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC), Rep. Greg Stube (FL), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Rep. Mary Miller (IL), Rep. Steve Palazzo (MS), Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA), Rep. Jody Hice (GA), Rep. Randy Weber (TX), Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ), Rep. Brian Babin (TX), Rep. Ben Cline (VA), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH), Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK), Rep. William Timmons (SC), Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO), Rep. Roger Williams (TX), Rep. Lance Gooden (TX), Rep. Ken Buck (CO), Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO), Rep. Michael Guest (MS), Rep. Alex Mooney (WV), Rep. Michael Waltz (FL), Rep. Tracey Mann (KS). 

 

 

Rep. Norman issued the following statement on Wednesday: “It is absolutely unacceptable that Senate Democrats and the Biden Administration are doing everything they can to fund abortions in this post-Roe world. Using federal funds for this purpose is sickening, considering the Supreme Court recently left the issue of abortion up to the states. Remember, many Democrats including our President used to be of the opinion that abortions should only happen in rare circumstances. My Republican colleagues and I will put our foot down every time the federal government attempts to step in on the matter of the right to life."