December 15, 2022
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced a bill to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using taxpayer dollars to transport illegal aliens across state lines for abortions.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stated, “The Biden administration is unlawfully using taxpayer money to transport pregnant, illegal alien children across state lines for late-term abortions. My colleagues and I have introduced bicameral legislation to end these illegal and horrific policies once and for all. Taxpayer money should never fund abortions, whether for citizens or non-citizens. Our priority at the southern border should be security and peace, not death and destruction.”
Senator Roger Marshall said, “No American’s tax dollars should pay for any illegal alien’s abortion, just like they should not pay for any American citizen’s abortion. Deportations are the only form of government-funded travel ICE should be providing to illegal immigrants. Additionally, with a major strain on resources and manpower on the southern border, we should be prioritizing activities performed by ICE and HHS that keep Americans safe. We’ve seen President Biden and his cabinet secretaries repeatedly abuse their power to enact a radical agenda that is failing the American people. The deterioration of our country will not stop unless Congress acts to put a check on this far left administration.”
Congressman Doug Lamborn said, “American’s hardworking tax dollars should never go toward paying for abortions, let alone paying for the transportation of illegal immigrants across state lines to receive abortions. This is yet another example of Biden’s radical border policies which will only exacerbate the crises at our Southern Border. I thank Congresswoman Boebert for her leadership on this important issue.”
Congressman Ken Buck stated, “The chaos at the southern border has threatened our national sovereignty and resulted in record-high crossings. Instead of directing funds to help U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) control the chaos, President Biden is appealing to the Left’s agenda, using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions for illegal migrants. Using ICE and HHS resources to transport pregnant migrants to other states is irresponsible and does nothing but exploit expectant mothers. Congress must take swift legislative action to defend our sovereignty and protect the sanctity of life.”
Congressman Jody Hice stated, “It is unbelievable that Joe Biden and his administration only care to address the southern border when it means he can use taxpayer dollars to slaughter more innocent children, when thousands of immigrants are flooding through our border every day. This unacceptable practice of relocating illegal aliens to receive abortions at the expense of hardworking Americans cannot be allowed to continue. Folks, we can’t allow your money to flying out of your pocketbook and into the abortion clinics.”
Congressman Andrew Clyde said, “Taxpayer dollars should never fund American citizens’ abortions, let alone illegal aliens’ abortions. It’s unconscionable that President Biden continues to advance the evils of abortion by any means necessary — including the self-inflicted national security and humanitarian border crisis caused by his radical policies and failed leadership. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to safeguard Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars and defend the sanctity of all human life.”
Congressman Paul Gosar stated, “Not a single penny of American taxpayer dollars should ever be used to transport lawless aliens across state lines to murder their unborn child. We do not live in a satanic death cult society that practices baby killing and infanticide, even in Joe Biden’s sick world.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn stated, “A massive wave of illegal immigration is providing cover for human smugglers and sex traffickers. We know that thousands of vulnerable women and girls have fallen victim to these criminals, yet the Biden White House has done nothing to stop it. It’s up to Congress to step in. Joe Biden’s taxpayer-funded welcome package already includes a free phone, free plane ticket, and free baby formula – this legislation will stop the administration from adding free abortions to the list.”
Senator Steve Daines said, “Rather than getting control of the southern border crisis President Biden created, he wants to ship illegal immigrants across the country to get taxpayer funded abortions. This is a gross abuse of Montanans’ taxpayer dollars and should never be allowed.”
Senator Rick Scott stated, “Taxpayers should never be on the hook to pay for abortions, and the thought of forcing Americans to foot the bill for transportation so illegal immigrants can get abortions is horrific. Just when you think that the Biden administration couldn’t get any more radical, it doubles down by pairing its failed open borders policies with its extreme anti-life agenda.”
Senator James Lankford said, “In a new low, even for the most pro-abortion President in US history, President Biden apparently only wants pregnant women, including minors, who illegally cross our southern border to be placed in states where they can get an abortion. His priority seems to be increasing abortions in America, rather than stopping illegal immigration or protecting the lives of children.”
Senator Mike Braun stated, “American taxpayer dollar should never go to fund abortion, and definitely should never be spent on transporting illegal immigrants across state lines for abortions.”
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith said, “The Biden administration’s willingness to act outside the law makes this legislation necessary. The Hyde Amendment restricts the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. Whether it be ICE personnel or any other executive branch employee, spending American tax dollars to escort illegal immigrants across state lines for abortions is a clear violation of the law. It must be stopped.”
Senator James Inhofe stated, “The Biden administration continues to push their liberal agenda on hardworking Americans and it has to stop. As if trying to use taxpayer dollars to fund American citizens’ abortions was not enough, the Biden administration now wants to use taxpayer dollars to fund illegal migrants’ abortions. To protect our nation’s integrity and safety, we must ensure that ICE and HHS cannot sponsor transportation for illegal immigrants to obtain an abortion.”
Senator Roger Wicker said, “Abortion is wrong, and American taxpayers should never have to pay for it, whether for citizens or illegal immigrants. I am proud to stand with my fellow pro-life legislators to protect the sanctity of all human life.”
The Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University stated, “The Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University supports the ‘No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act’ put forth by Representative Lauren Boebert. As abortion is only legal on a state-by-state basis, it is not the place of the federal government to be actively finding ways around states’ abortion laws in an effort to assist illegal aliens in procuring an abortion. This bill still provides protections for women to receive the healthcare they need while stopping the unnecessary use of government funds and resources to help illegal aliens obtain elective abortion procedures. We believe in the rights of all preborn children, and this bill offers the necessary protections for those innocent lives.”
Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life Action said, “The days of ‘safe, legal, and rare’ abortions are long gone as the Biden Administration’s plan is clearly dangerous, illegal, and frequent direct abortion at the cost of the American taxpayer. Students for Life Action salutes pro-life fighters like Rep. Boebert and Sen. Marshall who are leading legislation that protects existing life-saving laws and stops the Biden Administration from moving illegal aliens across state lines to end their future families, covering up for abusers. It’s a cruel and capricious act to allow people into the United States only to fast-track death by abortion for their children. We hope the House and Senate will quickly adopt this much needed legislation.”
Connor Semelsberger, Director of Federal Affairs for Life and Human Dignity, Family Research Council stated, “For 45 years federal law has maintained the principle that taxpayer funds should not be used to subsidize abortion at home and abroad. Thanks to Representative Boebert for carrying this principle forward to ensure that our taxpayer funds are not used to pay for abortions or abortion travel for any detainees in U.S. custody.”
Background:
Since 1976, Congress has included the Hyde Amendment in annual appropriations bills. This important provision in federal law prohibits federal agencies from using federal funds for an elective abortion.
In November, the Biden administration released new guidance mandating that HHS “make all reasonable efforts” to facilitate taxpayer funded abortions for illegal alien children, including transporting these children across state lines to circumvent state laws that protect the unborn. Shockingly, this unlawful guidance also encourages late-term abortions by encouraging ground transportation to abortion clinics in neighboring states where the pregnant alien minor is past the gestational age for flying.
In response to the Biden administration’s unlawful actions and circumvention of federal law, Senator Roger Marshall and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced the No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act. This legislation prohibits any employee or contractor with ICE or HHS from transporting any illegal immigrant across state lines for the purpose of procuring an abortion. Additionally, this bill prohibits any tax dollars allocated to either ICE or HHS from being used to pay for an elective abortion.
Current Senate cosponsors of Senator Marshall’s bill include Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Rick Scott (R-FL).
Current House cosponsors of Congresswoman Boebert’s bill include Reps. Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Mary Miller (IL-15), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Ken Buck (CO-04), Greg Steube (FL-17), Mike Bost (IL-12), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Jody Hice (GA-10), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Andy Harris (MD-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01).
Pro-life organizations supporting the No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act include the Family Research Council, the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, Students for Life, and the Susan B. Anthony List.
The full text of the No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act is available here.
