Backgrounder: Hyde Amendment and Related Policies

The Hyde Amendment, contained in the federal government’s annual appropriations legislation, prohibits federal funding of domestic abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It is a bipartisan provision that has been part of federal appropriations for 45 years (since 1976) and enjoys overwhelming public support, including strong support from low-income women, and women of color. The Hyde Amendment has served as the model for dozens of other federal policies that prohibit the government from funding abortion in other areas (for example, in foreign assistance programs, trafficking programs, community health programs, or health insurance). In addition to being widely supported by Americans, Hyde and Hyde-related policies save lives and respect the consciences of Americans. However, these policies are now under grave threat of being repealed.

Backgrounder: Hyde Amendment and Related Policies