A group of Republican senators is pushing a bill that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Health and Human Services workers from transporting illegal aliens across state lines for an abortion.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an employee or contractor of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services, acting within the scope of the individual’s employment or contract, may not transport, or arrange for the transportation of, any alien who is unlawfully present in the United States across any State line for the purpose of procuring an abortion for such alien,” the text of the bill states.
It would also bar using ICE and HHS funds to cover the cost of an abortion, unless a pregnant woman’s life would be at risk if she carried to term, or if the baby is the product of rape or incest — the measure would also prohibit the use of ICE and HHS funds “to require any person to perform, or to facilitate in any way the performance of, any abortion.”
The pro-life measure likely stands zero chance of passage because Democrats currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress.
The lawmakers backing the bill include GOP Sens. Roger Marshall of Kansas, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana, Steve Daines of Montana, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
“No American’s tax dollars should pay for any illegal alien’s abortion, just like they should not pay for any American citizen’s abortion. Deportations are the only form of government-funded travel ICE should be providing to illegal immigrants. Additionally, with a major strain on resources and manpower on the southern border, we should be prioritizing activities performed by ICE and HHS that keep Americans safe,” Marshall said, according to a press release.