[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      GUARANTEE THE HYDE AMENDMENT

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, January 5, 1995
  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, in the 103d Congress, the Freedom of Choice 
Act loomed on the horizon, threatening to write off the lives of 
millions of unborn children through unlimited abortion on demand. In 
November, the voters spoke. Across the Nation they showed that they 
feel that this Nation is on the wrong track. So today, I rise to 
introduce legislation which will reaffirm the most basic of human 
rights--the right to life.
  One bill I am introducing will amend the Constitution to recognize 
the right to life and give that right express constitutional 
protection. The second bill I am introducing on this topic will 
essentially codify the Hyde amendment.
  Since 1981, the House--through the Hyde amendment--has steadfastly 
stood by its stated belief that abortion should not be federally 
funded. The sole exception to the Hyde amendment is a circumstance in 
which the life of the mother would be endangered by the pregnancy or 
the birth. The House should continue this policy because the vast 
majority of Americans do not support abortion on demand.
  I stand firmly committed to protecting the rights of the unborn. 
There is a certain dignity in human life which we must respect, for it 
is the foundation of each and every basic value we hold dear. The 
Federal Government should not fund a practice which directly 
contradicts our respect for life.
Vol. 141


WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1995

No. 2


House of Representatives