Rep. Madison Cawthorn Introduces Bill to Ban Federal Funds Being Used for Out-of-State Abortion Travel Expenses

 

Rep. Madison Cawthorn has introduced a bill to ban federal funds from being used to to pay travel expenses for people getting out-of-state abortions.

Nine states have heavily restricted abortions since Roe v. Wade was reversed by the Supreme Court last month.

There are not any restrictions on traveling to obtain the procedure in a state where it is legal, however.

“Ensuring that the innocent among us are protected is something that is very near and dear to my heart. One of the most important ways we can protect the unborn is by stopping the Biden Administration’s gross abuse of power and executive overreach,” Cawthorn said Friday, according to a report from The Hill.

The congressman added, “this legislation showcases that Congress will respect the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe and not allow the federal government to overreach their constitutional authority.”

Rep. Cawthorn’s bill was introduced on the same day that Democrats passed two pro-abortion bills through the House.

The first bill, the Women’s Health Protection Act, would codify abortion and federally “protect a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services.”

The legislation will face an uphill battle in the senate however, as in order to avoid a filibuster, the Democrats would need 60 votes — which they are unlikely to achieve.

The second bill, the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which would “prohibit the interference, under color of State law, with the provision of interstate abortion services, and for other purposes.”

The goal of the bill is to protect women who travel to other states for abortions if it is illegal in their own and prevent abortion providers from denying service to women who travel from banned states.

The legislation gained support from three House Republicans, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger. It had a far easier time passing, with a 223-205 vote.