Republican Senators Express Concern Over Biden Administration’s Proposal to Use Taxpayer Money for Southern Border Abortions
A group of Republican senators has voiced strong opposition to a potential policy proposed by the Biden administration. The policy would allow taxpayer money to fund abortions among unaccompanied minors at the southern border. In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, nine senators expressed fervent opposition to the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) proposed rule, titled Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule.
The senators argued that this proposed rule goes against the prohibitions on the use of federal funds to facilitate abortions. They firmly stated that the rule should be immediately withdrawn. According to the senators, instead of following the law, responding to Congressional inquiries, and treating unaccompanied minors with dignity and respect, the ORR has decided to codify violations of the Hyde Amendment through this proposed rule.
This rule would continue the practice of transferring pregnant minors to ORR facilities in other states in order to bypass state laws protecting life. Additionally, it would allow for the distribution of dangerous chemical abortion drugs to vulnerable children without direct medical supervision. The senators also pointed out that the proposed rule prioritizes the taking of unborn life over the interests of the Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) by including abortion under the definition of medical services requiring heightened ORR involvement.
The senators also raised concerns regarding the neglect of conscience and religious freedom protections for ORR employees and contractors. They highlighted that the proposed rule would require ORR staff and contractors to transport children across state lines specifically for the purpose of obtaining an abortion. This requirement may violate the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits federal agencies from discriminating against employees based on their religious beliefs and practices.
The senators who signed the letter include Steve Daines, James Lankford, Roger Marshall, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Joni Ernst, Mike Braun, Rick Scott, Josh Hawley, and Ted Cruz. They have expressed their concerns about the potential policy and urged Secretary Becerra to reconsider it.
It is important to note that Secretary Becerra, who is known for his pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQ stance, is a self-professed committed Catholic. During a previous hearing, he struggled to explain the scandal of the estimated 85,000 missing unaccompanied migrant children for which ORR was responsible.
The senators’ opposition to the proposed rule reflects their commitment to upholding the protection of life and the rights of conscience and religious freedom. They believe that taxpayer money should not be used to fund abortions at the southern border and that the proposed rule violates existing prohibitions. Their letter serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the law and respecting the dignity of unaccompanied minors.
