Washington D.C. – During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) directed pointed questions at U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra regarding the Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 HHS Budget Request.
Senator Britt initiated her inquiry by addressing the notable absence of the Hyde Amendment from President Biden’s proposed FY25 HHS Budget. The Hyde Amendment, a fixture in annual appropriations legislation since 1977, prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. Secretary Becerra acknowledged President Biden’s decision to exclude the Hyde Amendment from the budget proposals, departing from longstanding bipartisan norms.
Senator Britt, known for her steadfast advocacy for pro-life policies, has consistently championed the Hyde Amendment. Notably, she played a significant role in defending the amendment during the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
During the hearing, Senator Britt further pressed Secretary Becerra on the Biden Administration’s abortion policy, characterizing it as radical. She highlighted concerns regarding the administration’s stance on late-term abortions and emphasized the lack of a clear boundary in protecting the lives of unborn children.
In response, Secretary Becerra declined to provide a definitive stance on whether he would support a woman’s decision to terminate her pregnancy either a day before or a day after her due date, underscoring the contentious nature of the abortion debate.
The exchange underscores the ongoing tension surrounding abortion policy within the political arena, with Senator Britt advocating for the preservation of pro-life principles while engaging in dialogue with key administration officials on matters of significant public concern.
