Two congressional Republicans are taking strong action against a Biden-era rule that mandates taxpayers to cover costs for illegal immigrant minors traveling to obtain abortions. Representatives Mark Harris from North Carolina and Mary Miller from Illinois are spearheading new legislation aimed at halting the use of federal funds for this purpose. Their bill intends to prohibit taxpayer dollars from being spent on travel, lodging, meals, child care, translation services, doula care, and abortion-related education for those minors who are not legally residing in the country.
“No American should ever have their tax dollars used to shuttle illegal aliens across state lines for abortions,” declared Harris in a news release. He emphasized the financial implications, suggesting that federal programs should not serve as a means for transporting individuals seeking abortions, which he characterized as an “outrageous” outcome of Biden’s policies. Miller echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Biden administration for turning federal agencies into what she termed “abortion traffickers” by authorizing the Office of Refugee Resettlement to facilitate and finance travel for illegal minors seeking abortions.
The Republican effort has garnered significant backing from various groups, including the Family Research Council, March for Life Action, and Students for Life Action. These organizations align with Harris and Miller’s commitment to restricting federal funding support for abortion-related services for illegal immigrants, further solidifying a conservative front against the Biden administration’s approach.
This proposed legislation aims to reinforce Congress’s authority over the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It seeks to ensure that the practices established under the Biden administration do not conflict with the Hyde Amendment, a long-standing regulation that prohibits federal taxpayer funding for abortions. Harris remarked on the situation, stating, “President Trump’s administration is rightfully moving to reverse this shocking abuse of taxpayer dollars, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Mark Harris on legislation that permanently ends it.”
In a recent statement, an HHS official confirmed that the agency is reviewing its regulations to align with the Hyde Amendment and all applicable laws, underscoring ongoing tensions between current policies and established federal restrictions. The Biden administration’s rule, proposed in 2022 and implemented in 2024, faced pushback, particularly after the Office of Legal Counsel determined that the Biden administration’s policy violates the Hyde Amendment. This office had initially concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services could use covered funds for transportation purposes related to obtaining an abortion. However, in a recent reevaluation, they reversed this stance, now holding that federal funds cannot be used for ancillary services required to obtain abortions.
This reversal marks a critical turn in the ongoing debate over federal spending related to abortion and highlights the divisions surrounding this sensitive issue. The legislation proposed by Harris and Miller could significantly affect how federal resources are allocated, particularly concerning vulnerable populations seeking medical procedures. As the bill moves forward, it will likely face challenges in navigating the legislative process amid strong ideological opposition.
"*" indicates required fields
