U.S. Congress

Updates: Second Session of 110th U.S. Congress

Vitter Amendment to Indian Health Care Improvement Act


Vitter Amendment Passes in Senate, Moves to the House

 

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act has moved to the House where it is known as H.R. 1328.

The equivalent of the Vitter Amendment in the House is the Pitts Amendment. An amendment offered by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) to H.R. 1328 which would permanently prohibit the IHS from providing abortions (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape, or incest of a minor).

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to take up H.R. 1328 any time now, but there will not be much time before the date is set. Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Call him and say: "Please support the Pitts Amendment to H.R. 1328. A vote against the Pitts Amendment is a vote to allow the future federal funding of abortion."

DC Office: 202-225-4031


 

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  • The facts:
    • Presented by Louisiana U.S. Senator Vitter on January 22nd, 2008, his amendment would insert the "Hyde Provision" into Indian Healthcare Act, thus restricting federal money to fund abortion.
    • The "Hyde Provision" refers to the Hyde Amendment passed in 1976 that restricts the use of federal funds for abortions.
    • By inserting this language into the Indian Healthcare Act, pro-lifers can be sure that the provisions and legacy of the Hyde Amendment will be enshired in our legislation.
    • While this provision has passed the Senate, it must pass the House as well. ThePitts Amendment metioned above accomplishes the same thing that the Vitter Amendment did in the Senate.