President Threatens to Veto Bill with Ban on Local Abortion Funding for D.C. Low-Income Women

President Threatens to Veto Bill with Ban on Local Abortion Funding for D.C. Low-Income Women

May 3, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will go to the House floor on Wednesday morning, May 3, to speak on the closed rule to H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would permanently prohibit the District from spending its local tax dollars on abortion services for low-income women. On Monday evening, Norton was back before the House Rules Committee in another attempt to amend section 309 of the bill, the section that would make the ban permanent. However, committee Republicans reported a closed rule, blocking all amendments to the bill, including Norton's. The Congresswoman, who has had lengthy conversations with administration officials since D.C. riders were added to the 2011 continuing resolution (CR), said she appreciates the Obama Administration's Statement of Administration Policy threatening to veto H.R. 3 in part because it, "restricts the District of Columbia's use of local funds, which undermines home rule." Norton also has written the President and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid with a detailed critique of how the negotiation could have saved or, at least, mitigated the losses to D.C. home rule.

The Congresswoman said, "I have had lengthy and very encouraging conversations with White House officials since the final 2011 CR containing D.C. riders was passed. Specific mention of our local funds and home rule shows, I believe, that we are being heard. I will continue to work with Democratic allies in the Senate to make sure H.R. 3 does not pass. Its permanent ban of local spending on abortions is a dangerous precedent that must stop with H.R. 3."