Hypocrisy on the Hill: Anti-Choice Lawmakers Vote "No" On Measures to Help Pregnant Women

Washington, DC – Anti-choice members of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday voted against a proposal offered by Rep. David Obey (D-WI) aimed at making it economically easier for low-income and vulnerable women to choose to carry pregnancies to term. The amendment failed by a vote of 26-36.

Rep. Obey's amendment would have increased funding for maternal and child health programs, child care, domestic violence prevention, job training, and other programs. These services support low-income women who are pregnant or parenting.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the vote illustrates the hypocrisy of anti-choice lawmakers who oppose a woman's right to choose but then refuse to support initiatives to help women prevent unintended pregnancies or to assist women who carry their pregnancies to term.

"We were disappointed, but not surprised, to see anti-choice lawmakers vote against commonsense measures that would support low-income women and children. Anti-choice politicians have demonstrated that they are opposed not only to abortion, but also to non-controversial, consensus programs that help women give birth to healthy children, and this is no exception," Keenan said. "Yesterday, these same lawmakers refused to back ways to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion. They also voted against supporting child care and domestic-violence prevention for women who carry their pregnancies to term. Rep. Obey's amendment would have improved the lives of real women, contributing to healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The families in these congressional districts deserve more from their representatives than this blatant hypocrisy."

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032