The "Lankford Amendment" was accepted in a mostly party-line vote. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) was the only Democrat who joined Republicans in support of the pro-life amendment.
The Lankford amendment would prohibit federal funding from funding abortions, mirroring the effect of the Hyde Amendment. It would also protect the conscience rights of medical facilities by adding Weldon Amendment language to the budget. The Weldon Amendment prohibits federal funds from going to states that discriminate against health care entities that refuse to pay for or provide coverage for abortions.
“We thank the pro-life champions in the Senate for their tireless work to protect unborn children and their mothers,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Senate Democrats are targeting the longstanding popular Hyde Amendment at every turn. The goal is to ensure abortion on demand at any time and for any reason. Taxpayer funding of abortion is a top priority of pro-abortion groups and their allies in the Senate.”
Until this year, the Hyde Amendment was a bipartisan addition to every spending bill for 45 years. Pro-life advocates argue that it has saved over two million American lives since 1976.
The House of Representatives would need to agree to the budget resolution before it can move forward during the reconciliation process.
