The U.S. Senate voted 52-42 today to prevent taxpayer-funded abortions within Indian health care.
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., sponsored an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act based on the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding of abortions. Indian health services are funded through the Interior Appropriations bill, which has never been subject to the Hyde Amendment.
"I applaud the Senate for voting to prevent Indian Health Service funds from being used to pay for abortions," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. "The majority of the Senate has now shown they agree with most Americans that government funding of abortion is morally wrong."
Nearly 800 CitizenLink readers e-mailed their senators in support of the pro-life measure.
"This is a great legislative victory and a prime example of how constituent action makes a difference," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
Eight Democrats voted for the pro-life amendment: Sens. Evan Bayh, Ind.; Robert Byrd, W.Va.; Bob Casey, Pa.; Tim Johnson, S.D.; Mary Landrieu, La.; Ben Nelson, Neb.; Harry Reid, Nev.; and Ken Salazar, Colo.
Three Republicans voted against Vitter's amendment: Sens. Susan Collins, Maine; Olympia Snowe, Maine; and Arlen Specter, Pa.
Six senators did not vote: Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas; John McCain, R-Ariz.; John Warner, R-Va.; Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.; Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.; and Barack Obama, D-Ill.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Find out how your senators voted.
