The Democrats for Life of America hosted a “Save Hyde National Day of Action.” The flagship rally took place in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background.
Satellite events took place in 21 different locations nationwide. Dan Green, DFLA’s national communications director, estimated in an interview with The Christian Post that up to 1,000 people would likely attend the events.
The day of action comes just one month after President Joe Biden signed into law a coronavirus relief package that did not have Hyde Amendment protections guaranteeing that federal tax dollars can’t be used to pay for abortions in most cases.
“If [Democrats] keep going down this road, where they want to fund abortion and ignore the needs of women, … it’s going to be a tough 2022 for Democrats,” DFLA Executive Director Kristen Day told CP.
The Hyde Amendment has existed in some form since 1976, three years after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade. Every year, the amendment has been affirmed by Congress as part of a Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bill. The most recent version of the measure included exceptions for Medicaid funds to fund abortions in the case of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
Both before and after the 2020 presidential election, top congressional Democrats vowed to do away with the Hyde Amendment. Polling has shown that restrictions on tax dollars being used to fund abortions enjoy wide support among the American public.
Between three and four dozen people gathered in front of the Supreme Court to show support for the measure.
While Democrats for Life of America hosted the event, the event featured speakers and attendees from all political persuasions and religious backgrounds.