A bi-partisan duo in the House of Representatives is asking their colleagues to sign on to a letter designed to block attempts to erase the "Hyde Amendment." The amendment, named for Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde, bars the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions./span>
Rep. Heath Shuler/(D-NC) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) are sending their appeal to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey and Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter. They write, "We believe that failure to include all of the current policies with regard to the right to life will mark a radical departure from a policy many Americans support." Read the full letter here.
/span>Leaving the amendment off of spending legislation would undo a 33-year old practice. It's something pro- life activists will be watching closely, especially in light of President Obama's support of the Freedom of Choice Act. He's promised to sign it into law, but the legislation has not yet been introduced in this session of Congress./span>