THE DAILY WHIP: THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015

***Members are advised that the House will no longer consider H.R. 36 – Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act this week.  This is a change from the GOP Leadership’s previously announced schedule.

H.Res. 42 – Rule Providing for Consideration of H.R. 7– No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 (Rep. Smith (NJ) – Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means/Judiciary) (One Hour of Debate).  The Rules committee has recommended a closed Rule that provides for one hour of general debate equally divided between the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees. The Rule allows one motion to recommit, and waives all points of order against the legislation.

The Rules Committee rejected a motion by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts to consider H.R. 7 under an open Rule. Members are urged to VOTE NO.

H.R. 7 – No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 (Rep. Smith (NJ) – Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means/Judiciary) (One Hour of Debate). This bill would permanently prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for any abortion services or abortion coverage. Identical legislation passed the House last January. That vote can be found here.

The bill prohibits individuals and small businesses from claiming tax credits for any private insurance plans purchased through Affordable Care Act Marketplaces that include abortion coverage - despite the fact that current law already requires that women/families who purchase such plans make two separate premium payments to ensure that no federal funds are spent on abortion services. The effect of these changes would likely lead to a vast majority of women losing access to comprehensive insurance coverage, as small business owners would be incentivized to offer plans that do not cover abortion. This bill would also further undermine the District of Columbia's home rule, prohibiting them from using District funds to provide abortion services to low-income women.

Although this bill is advertised as reinforcing existing law, in truth, H.R. 7 goes beyond current law. It applies the federal tax code to the issue of abortion and restricts the private insurance choices that consumers have today.

This bill was a last-minute, late-night addition to the Rules Committee meeting and is now being rushed to the Floor less than 18 hours after being introduced, despite repeated Republican promises of having “three days” notice before a vote on any legislation.

Bill Text for H.R. 7:
PDF Version

Background for H.R. 7:
CRS Report: Abortion: Judicial History and Legislative Response