WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after President Trump issued an executive order to prevent Title X Family Planning funds from being used to promote, counsel, or refer clients to abortion services as originally laid out in 1988 under the Reagan Administration.
“I applaud President Trump for taking action to stand up for religious freedom by protecting hard-working families from having their taxpayer dollars be used to perform abortions. Medical professionals should not be forced to perform abortions in order to receive government funding, and taxpayers should not be expected to foot the bill. The Title X program is an important women’s health program, but it was never intended to be a slush fund to subsidize abortions. The Reagan Administration instituted these regulations and they were upheld by the Supreme Court. It is long past time those taxpayer protections were restored and followed,” said Whip Scalise.
With six in ten Americans opposing taxpayer funded abortions, Whip Scalise has long been an advocate for this change. This year, he joined with 153 House colleagues in a letter urging President Trump to issue today’s executive order and a coalition of pro-life groups advocated for this action as well.