WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 2, 2021—The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention sent a letter to Congressional leaders today urging them to adhere to critical pro-life policy riders, including the Hyde Amendment, which prevents Medicaid from covering the cost of abortions. As the legislative chambers construct their budgets in the coming days, the ERLC continues to advocate for a whole range of long-standing, pro-life riders––many of which have decades of bipartisan support––that protect federal taxpayer dollars from the abortion industry.
The ERLC and Southern Baptists affirm that every life is worthy of protection, beginning with the unborn. In the letter, Dr. Russell Moore, president of the ERLC, called upon the leaders to support these amendments “because of what they represent and their importance in this time of deep division in our nation.” Moore continued:
“Before the Hyde Amendment was introduced, approximately 300,000 abortions a year were performed using federal Medicaid dollars. It is estimated that the Hyde Amendment has saved over two million lives since it was enacted.
“The Hyde Amendment is just one of many pro-life riders that deserve to be included in all appropriations bills. To name several of many such riders, I strongly urge Congress to protect the Weldon (discrimination protections for those with objections to abortion), Dornan (Hyde protections in the District of Columbia), Helms (protection against funds being used for abortion in international aid), Siljander (protection against funds being used to lobby for abortion internationally) and Kamp-Kasten (protection against funds to organizations that support coercive abortion or sterilization) Amendments. It is crucial that these and all pro-life riders continue to be included in appropriations legislation during the 117th Congress.
“These amendments save lives and protect American consciences. Protecting them would be an act of courageous leadership that recognizes our great democratic republic experiment is strongest when we respect one another in the midst of our disagreements. Such an act of across-the-aisle courage is desperately needed.”
