Number: RL33467
Title: Abortion: Legislative Response
Authors: Jon O. Shimabukuro, Legislative Attorney 
Abstract: Since Roe, Congress has attached abortion funding restrictions to various appropriations measures. The greatest focus has been on restricting Medicaid abortions under the annual appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services. This series of restrictions is popularly known as the "Hyde Amendments." Restrictions on the use of appropriated funds affect numerous federal entities, including the Department of Justice, where federal funds may not be used to perform abortions in the federal prison system except in cases of rape or endangerment of the mother. Such restrictions also have an impact in the District of Columbia, where both federal and local funds may not be used to perform abortions except in cases of rape, incest or where the mother is endangered, and affect international organizations like the United Nations Population Fund, which receives funds through the annual Foreign Operations appropriations measure.
Pages: 17
Date: January 15, 2009