[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H4259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPPORT OF PRO-LIFE RIDERS

  (Mr. HARRIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HARRIS. Madam Speaker, today the House majority will likely pass 
the faulty Health Appropriations bill, which eliminates the protection 
of the Hyde and Weldon amendments. This will happen despite polling 
that consistently shows nearly 60 percent of Americans oppose the use 
of hard-earned taxpayer dollars for abortion. And even more compelling, 
more than 75 percent of Americans oppose the use of their tax dollars 
to pay for abortions overseas.
  As we all know, the Hyde amendment prevents the use of Federal tax 
dollars for abortions. This policy rider has withstood the test of time 
and enjoyed bipartisan support for 45 years, including from Senator Joe 
Biden.
  But just as important to me, as a physician, is the Weldon amendment, 
which prevents healthcare providers from being compelled to participate 
in a medical procedure to which they hold religious or moral 
objections, namely abortion. Removing this protection would result in 
gross violations of the Constitutional rights of Americans.
  Madam Speaker, the Hyde and Weldon amendments are just two examples 
of commonsense measures we have enacted over the years to protect life. 
I urge my colleagues in the majority to reconsider dismantling these 
important protections of the right to life.

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