USCCB backs ‘No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act’

January 14, 2014

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has voiced support for the “No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act,” which has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).

The bill “will write into permanent law a policy on which there has been strong popular and congressional agreement for over 35 years: the federal government should not use its funding power to support or promote abortion,” Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said in congressional testimony.

“While Congress’s policy has been consistent for decades, its implementation in practice has been piecemeal, confusing and sometimes sadly inadequate,” he added. “Gaps or loopholes have been discovered in this patchwork of provisions over the years, highlighting the need for a permanent and consistent policy across the federal government. In 2010 Congress passed major health care reform legislation with at least four different policies on abortion funding, ranging from a ban on such funding in one section of the bill to a potential mandate for such funding in another.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Bishops’ Official Voices Support For ‘No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act’ (USCCB)