Biden’s Continued Support For Ban On Federal Funding For Abortion Provokes Swift Backlash From Rights Advocates
The Hyde Amendment, a measure that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion with exceptions for cases involving rape, incest and when the life of the mother is in danger. Abortion rights groups were quick to criticize former Vice President Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic front-runner, saying that the Hyde Amendment hurts minorities and low-income women especially. “Differentiating himself from the field this way will not earn Joe Biden any political points and will bring harm to women who are already most vulnerable,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of the abortion rights group NARAL.
The New York Times:
Joe Biden Still Backs Hyde Amendment, Which Bans Federal Funds For Abortions
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who has shunned today’s Democratic Party orthodoxy on issues from crime to compromising with Republicans, again broke with his party’s base and many of his campaign rivals on Wednesday when his campaign confirmed that he still backs the Hyde Amendment, a measure that prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion with exceptions for cases involving rape, incest and when the life of the mother is in danger. (Glueck, 6/5)
Los Angeles Times:
Joe Biden’s Opposition To Federal Funds For Abortion Brings First Big Fight Of His Campaign
The campaign statement came one month after Biden suggested in a conversation with a South Carolina voter that he had dropped his past support for the policy. “Biden misheard the woman on the rope line,” the campaign statement explained. “He has not at this point changed his position on the Hyde Amendment.” The statement added that he would be “open to repeal” if women lost access to abortion in the future — presumably because of a Supreme Court decision or other change in law. (Hook and Haberkorn, 6/5)
The Washington Post:
Abortion Rights Advocates Criticize Biden Over Support For Hyde Amendment
Biden, who is currently leading in early polls for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, would back repealing the amendment “if abortion avenues currently protected under Roe were threatened,” his campaign told NBC News. In a statement Wednesday, Ilyse Hogue, president of the abortion rights group NARAL, said there is “no political or ideological excuse” for Biden’s support for the amendment, which she said “translates into discrimination against poor women and women of color plain and simple.” “His position further endangers women and families already facing enormous hurdles and creates two classes of rights for people in this country, which is inherently undemocratic,” Hogue said. Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily’s List, a political action committee that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, also issued a statement calling it “unacceptable” for a major Democratic White House contender to support the Hyde Amendment. (Sonmez, 6/5)
The Hill:
Planned Parenthood Slams Biden Over Support For 'Discriminatory' Abortion Policy
Planned Parenthood's lobbying arm slammed former Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday for his support of the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal money from being used to cover some abortion costs. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF), the reproductive health organization's advocacy group, called the policy "discriminatory" and "strongly encouraged" Biden to rethink his position. (Frazin, 6/5)
The Wall Street Journal:
Biden’s Views On Abortion Draw Fresh Criticism And Expose Rift With Fellow Democrats
The criticism from abortion-rights organizations, a key Democratic constituency and a connection to women voters in the party, is the latest example of the former vice president’s lengthy political history complicating his pitch to members of his own party. Mr. Biden leads in early polling but has faced complaints from primary voters about some of his moderate views, stances that might damp turnout among rank-and-file Democrats in a general election matchup against President Trump. (Armour and Thomas, 6/5)
