In response to President Trump’s recent suggestion that Republicans should be “flexible” on the Hyde Amendment, the pro-life movement responded with clarity and unity: taxpayer-funded abortion is a line that cannot be crossed.

For more than 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has protected Americans from being forced to fund abortion with their tax dollars, saving an estimated 2.6 million lives. It has long stood as a foundational pro-life safeguard and a minimum standard for the Republican Party – both morally and politically.

That is why President Trump’s call for flexibility, to potentially cave to Democrats for a health care proposal, was met with swift and firm resistance. From the outset, pro-life leaders have been clear: no Hyde, no deal.

Here’s what leading voices across the pro-life movement are saying:

Marjorie Dannenfelser, SBA Pro-Life America

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“For decades, opposition to taxpayer funding of abortion and support for the Hyde Amendment has been an unshakeable bedrock principle and a minimum standard in the Republican Party. To suggest Republicans should be ‘flexible’ is an abandonment of this decades-long commitment. If Republicans abandon Hyde, they are sure to lose this November.”

 

Lila Rose, Live Action

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“The GOP must stand firm for human life. No exceptions. No inch given.

If you sacrifice Hyde, you sacrifice innocent human children.”

Jennie Litchter, March for Life

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“The Hyde Amendment is pro-life 101, a longstanding baseline that saves lives and is widely supported by Americans. Jettisoning Hyde and forcing Americans to pay for abortions with their taxpayer dollars is bad policy and bad politics.”

Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life

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“Hyde must be included in any Obamacare reform bill or it will be a pro-abortion vote.”

Bob Vanderplaats, Family Leader

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“Agree with @marjoriesba and @sbaprolife, “If Republicans abandon Hyde, they are sure to lose this November.” And for those who want to be #POTUS and succeed @realDonaldTrump, this is a non-starter.

“Rule #1: Don’t ever abandon your base.”

Americans United for Life

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“The Hyde Amendment, rooted in bipartisanship, has been historically the most popular pro-life provision ever enacted into law, remaining in favor for nearly 50 years. Pro-life advocates hail Hyde for its protection of unborn human lives — saving more than 2.6 million since the first appropriations rider in 1976.”

Ryan T Anderson, Ethics and Public Policy Center

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“It is unjust to force tax payers to pay for abortion. It is also politically unpopular. Congressional Republicans should hold the line on Hyde.”

Penny Nance, Concerned Women of America

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“We are not flexible on Hyde Amendment protections for the unborn. Just sayin.”

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council

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“Nothing is more important than the sanctity of human life, therefore we cannot be flexible on protecting taxpayers from being forced to fund abortion or gender mutilation procedures.”

Kelsey (Wicks) Reinhardt, Catholic Vote

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“Honoring Hyde is not about inflexibility. It is about moral consistency and public restraint on an issue as grave and irreversible as abortion. The amendment has saved millions of lives while respecting the consciences of taxpayers: an achievement few public policies can claim.”

Ryan Bomberger, Radiance Foundation

(Source)

“The GOP should NOT be (even more) “flexible” on the #HydeAmendment (which already allows lives like mine to be destroyed). Abortion is NOT healthcare. So, stop fearing what the Left is cheering!”

 

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG)

(Source)

“The Hyde Amendment isn’t negotiable. Induced abortion is not healthcare, and Hyde ensures Americans aren’t forced to fund it, especially when millions oppose doing so. Hyde must be protected and investments made in real healthcare for women and the preborn.”

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In addition to the leaders quoted above, elected officials in Congress are echoing this message. The pro-life movement is clear and unified: the Hyde Amendment is not negotiable. Any effort to weaken or abandon Hyde would force Americans to fund abortion against their will and betray a decades-long commitment to protecting life.