{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://messer.house.gov/media-center/editorials/defending-a-pro-life-pillar-no-tax-dollars-for-abortion", "Defending a pro-life pillar  no tax dollars for abortion", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Luke Messer", "M001189", "messer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Two-thirds of Americans oppose taxpayer funded abortion. In this era of divided politics, there are few issues on which so many people agree.\nOn September 30, 1976, this bipartisan consensus became the law of the land when the Hyde Amendment passed the House of Representatives. Its impact on our nation has been lasting and profound. \u00a0\nThe Hyde Amendment stands as a pillar in pro-life policy, but also as a reflection of the will of millions of Americans on an issue over which common ground is hard to find.\u00a0 Unfortunately, in what would be an unprecedented move, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has called for the Hyde Amendment\u2019s repeal. That would be a giant mistake.\nThe Hyde Amendment acknowledges a shared recognition that abortion is not just another medical procedure. The truth is even most pro-choice Americans believe abortion should be rare. When you fund something, you make it more likely to occur.\u00a0The Hyde Amendment blocks government funding so that it doesn\u2019t encourage the practice of abortion.\nThe results of this policy are striking. Since the Hyde Amendment took effect, research from the Lozier Institute indicates that it has prevented more than two million abortions. The number of lives saved is roughly equivalent to the populations of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.\u00a0\nThe Hyde Amendment also respects Americans deep, moral beliefs about abortion. This is an issue of conscience. \u00a0That's why Americans overwhelmingly believe their fellow taxpayers, many with deeply held convictions on the issue, should not be forced to fund the procedure.\u00a0\nThe Hyde Amendment is morally appropriate, politically responsible and it saves lives. But it is not perfect. First of all, it is not permanent law. Each year, Congress must re-pass the Hyde Amendment language in an annual legislative drama. There are also loopholes and workarounds that need to be addressed.\nThe Hyde Amendment should be made permanent and its principles applied throughout each federal measure dealing with healthcare.\u00a0 I will continue to fight to expand the Hyde Amendment and for other policy changes that preserve life. \u00a0We cannot let Hillary Clinton or any other politician abandon our progress on this issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://messer.house.gov/media-center/editorials/defending-a-pro-life-pillar-no-tax-dollars-for-abortion"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.2216631807386875, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}