Block Republican Sneak Attack: Reject Anti-Abortion Language in Funding CR

Today I’m writing to express my deep disgust and alarm over reports that Congressional Republicans are attempting to insert anti-abortion language into government funding legislation during ongoing shutdown negotiations. This underhanded tactic — essentially blackmail — threatens both women's reproductive rights and the stability of our government. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has rightly called this a 'sneak attack' on reproductive rights. As you may know, the demand to include language barring tax credits from being used for plans covering abortion care in any extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies is particularly alarming. This goes beyond the ACA's existing restrictions on using federal funds for abortions, which already limit coverage to cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. This attempt at what Senator Wyden describes as a 'backdoor national abortion ban' could set a dangerous precedent, allowing the weaponization of federal funding and the tax code against organizations providing all kinds of essential women's reproductive healthcare. Such a move would disproportionately affect low-income women and those in vulnerable situations. This Republican maneuver adds unnecessary complexity to the already fraught shutdown negotiations. It's crucial to note that Democrats have offered to extend ACA subsidies in exchange for reopening the government, a proposal that Republicans have rejected. This rejection, coupled with the attempt to insert anti-abortion language, suggests a prioritization of ideological goals over the pressing need to end the government shutdown. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to stand firm against these attempts to restrict reproductive rights through backdoor legislative tactics. Reject any government funding bill that includes anti-abortion language or attempts to further limit access to reproductive healthcare. Instead, focus on passing a clean funding bill that reopens the government without compromising the rights and health of women across the nation. The stakes are high, and your constituents are counting on you to protect both our government's functionality and our fundamental rights. Thank you.