Billy Long: Most Americans agree that abortion is wrong

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

On January 27, 2017, thousands of men and women came to Washington, D.C. to support the March for Life. This event is held each year to raise awareness and advocate for the unborn lives taken by abortion. The first rally was held on January 22, 1974, one year after the Roe v. Wadedecision. Since then, the March for Life has taken place each year, and will continue to take place, until Roe v. Wade is overturned.

That same week, the House of Representatives took an important step in our pro-life agenda by voting to make the Hyde Amendment permanent. The Hyde Amendment helps prevent taxpayer money from being used for abortions, except to save the life of the mother, or in the case of rape or incest.

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act passed the House by a vote of 238-183. This legislation would not only make the Hyde Amendment permanent, along with any other legislation that prohibits funding of abortions government-wide. This bill would also ensure that the Affordable Care Act is held to the same standard.

I've always made it a priority to support legislation that saves lives and that’s why I voted in favor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. In 1973 when the Supreme Court said it was legal to kill an unborn child I didn't agree then and I still don't.

The American people have spoken, and as a Congressman, I listened. According to the Marist Institute for Public Opinion Polling, 62 percent of the American people agree, the government should not use taxpayer money to fund abortions. Through some current governmental funding policies, the government is only incentivizing abortion.

Forty-five percent of individuals who identify as pro-choice even agree that taxpayer money should not be funding abortions. Most consider abortion a partisan issue, but when it comes to taxpayer funding, both Republicans and Democrats are much more likely to agree. According to the same poll, 44 percent of Democrats and 84 percent of Republicans don’t agree with taxpayer funded abortions.

It’s time to stop playing partisan politics and realize that a majority of Americans agree on this issue. It’s never okay to be political when human lives are at stake. I will continue to work and support pro-life legislation. Someone needs to fight for those that can't fight for themselves.