Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations
D.C. Abortion Funding Ban House: Every year since 1989 (except for Fiscal Years 1994 to 1996), Congress has approved the Dornan Amendment to prevent the use of all congressionally appropriated funds for elective abortion in the District of Columbia. The appropriations subcommittee with responsibility for D.C. funding reported out the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3170) with language that reversed the Dornan Amendment. The restriction on abortion funding would no longer apply to all funds appropriated under the act, but only to the “federal” funds, leaving the “local” funds available to pay for elective abortion. On July 7, during markup of H.R. 3170, the House Appropriations Committee voted, 26-yes, 33-no, to reject an amendment by Reps. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and Lincoln Davis (D-TN) to restore the Dornan Amendment. On July 14, the House Rules Committee rejected a request by Reps. Tiahrt and Davis to allow a floor vote on their amendment. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Pro-Life Caucus, helped organize a major effort to defeat the rule. The rule passed by just a few votes, 216-yes, 213-no, 5-not voting. Rep. Tiahrt offered a motion to recommit the bill to committee with instructions to restore the D.C. abortion funding ban. Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) made a point of order against the Tiahrt motion on the grounds that, contrary to House rules, it “adds further legislation” (CR H8267, 7/16/09). The chair sustained the point of order. Rep. Tiahrt appealed the ruling of the chair. Rep. Serrano moved to table the appeal. The House agreed with Serrano motion to table, 225-yes, 195-no, 13-not voting. An effort to defeat H.R. 3170 on final passage also failed, 219-yes, 208-no. Senate: On July 9, during its markup of its Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill (S. 1432), the Senate Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) to restore the D.C. abortion funding ban, 13-yes, 15-no. S. 1432 has not been considered on the Senate floor. FEHB Program Abortion Coverage Senate: As reported from committee, with no fanfare or notice, S. 1432 deleted the longstanding restrictions on abortion coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The House-passed Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3170) retained the FEHB program restrictions.
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