Obama Administration Opposes H.R. 3

Chris Smith, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, represents New Jersey's 4th District. Smith, who sponsored H.R. 3., is considered one of the fiercest opponents of abortion.

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H. R. 3 – No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

(Rep. Smith, R-NJ, and 227 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 3 because it: intrudes on women's reproductive freedom and access to health care; increases the tax burden on many Americans; unnecessarily restricts the private insurance choices that consumers have today; and restricts the District of Columbia’s use of local funds, which undermines home rule. Longstanding Federal policy prohibits Federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered. This prohibition is maintained in the Affordable Care Act and reinforced through the President’s Executive Order 13535. H.R. 3 goes well beyond these safeguards by interfering with consumers’ private health care choices. The Administration also strongly supports existing provider conscience laws that have protected the rights of health care providers and entities for over 30 years, and it recognizes and supports the rights of patients. The Administration will strongly oppose legislation that unnecessarily restricts women’s reproductive freedoms and consumers’ private insurance options.

If the President is presented with H.R. 3, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

Photo source: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/pictorial/109th/nj.html
Author: United States Congress
Permission: Public Domain