humanlifereview.com
2026-01-30
President Donald Trump seems to have underestimated the importance of the Hyde Amendment to the pro-life movement. But on taxpayer funding for abortion, pro-lifers are not budging.
During a speech at the Kennedy Center, President Trump recently told Republicans that they had to be "a little flexible" on the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer funding of abortion, so that Congress can reach a healthcare deal. These words were shocking to the pro-life movement, especially since President Trump just signed an executive order reinforcing the Hyde Amendment last January.
The reaction from pro-life groups and lawmakers has demonstrated unprecedented unity. Pro-lifers are clarifying that they will not budge or compromise on this core issue.
Passed in 1976, the Hyde Amendment was a hard-earned Republican compromise by Representative Henry Hyde to prevent taxpayer funding of abortion via healthcare bills. Since passage, the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2.6 million lives. In the words of the Wall Street Journal's William McGurn, "Hyde doesn't touch the legality of abortion. But it says those who want one can't demand their fellow citizens who consider it murder pay for it."