Asserting Right to Abortion, Dems Ready to Go All Out Against Hyde

Reproductive rights are back in the political spotlight as Democrats gear up to push for a repeal of the Hyde Amendment—the law that bans federal funding of abortions—in the lead-up to the November elections.

For the first time, the Democrats included a provision in their platform for the Hyde Amendment to be repealed, answering a long-held call from pro-choice activists. And now, building on the momentum from recent campaigns by Planned Parenthood and the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision on Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt, Democrats may have the upper hand.

“Access to abortion shouldn’t depend on your zip code, and it shouldn’t depend on your pocketbook,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Moreover, public opinion is increasingly opposing the Hyde Amendment, advocate and policy strategist Marcela Howell explained last week. In an op-ed for The Hill, Howell, who is the founder and executive director of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, wrote:

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