WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and 11 Senate Republican colleagues to reintroduce the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act, legislation to help end taxpayer support for the abortion industry. The bill was originally introduced in 2019.
The Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act would prohibit federal funds from being provided to any entity, either directly or indirectly, unless the entity certifies that it will not perform an abortion or provide funding to any entity that funds an abortion. Exceptions are made for abortions where: (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffers from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Hospitals are exempted unless they provide funds to non-hospital entities that perform abortions.
“Alabamians value the sanctity of life and protecting the voice of every child,” said Senator Tuberville. “I am proud to join Senator Blackburn and my pro-life colleagues to ensure that not a single taxpayer dollar goes towards the horrific action of taking the life of an unborn child.”
“For too long, the abortion industry has profited at the expense of the American taxpayer–despite sixty percent of Americans opposing the use of their hard-earned money to fund abortions. The pro-life community should never be forced to foot the bill for an immoral practice that they vehemently oppose. The Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act will safeguard the sanctity of life by withholding federal funding from abortion providers and investors,” said Senator Blackburn.
Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Braun (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), James Inhofe (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tim Scott (R-SC) are original co-sponsors.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Background:
• Every year, the abortion industry receives millions of dollars in direct and indirect federal funding, even though federal law has prohibited use of federal funds for abortion since 1976. A January 2018 Marist poll found that 60 percent of Americans oppose using tax dollars for abortion.
• Despite performing hundreds of thousands of abortions every year, organizations like Planned Parenthood have received tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money annually. A December 21, 2020, Government Accountability Office report revealed that over the course of three years (FY16-FY18) nearly $2 billion in taxpayer dollars went to three abortion advocacy groups: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Marie Stopes International, and International Planned Parenthood Federation.
• Abortion providers also benefit from indirect funding when entities that receive federal funding provide or fund abortions. These resources enable abortion providers to focus their resources on abortion. It is important to end this support for the abortion industry. Entities must choose to associate with the abortion industry or to receive federal funds.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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