WASHINGTON, D.C., October 7, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A year and a half after the federal health care bill was signed into law, House Speaker John Boehner has again vowed dedication to overthrowing the legislation that pro-life leaders have called the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Obamacare is never, ever, ever fully implemented,” Boehner told an audience at the Values Voters Summit on Friday.
At least one court case against the federal health care law is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court after the Obama administration recently declined a re-hearing in an appeals court that ruled against the law.
The House Speaker reminded attendees at the Summit of the prolonged push by pro-life House members to introduce a Hyde amendment that would explicitly ban any federally-appropriated funds from going to elective abortions. Although President Obama had “vowed” early in the campaign for the health bill that the Hyde amendment would apply to it, the administration fought to the end to keep the ban out of the bill’s language, and placed it in an executive order instead.
“I knew right then and there something was amiss,” said Boehner.
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Immediately after the health law was passed last year, House members introduced a repeal, and pro-life leaders pushed to pass a government-wide Hyde amendment.
“We’re going to continue to press to make [the Hyde amendment] the law of the land,” said Boehner today to extended applause.
Boehner also recalled his “disappointment” when the Obama administration refused in February to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court. Shortly after that decision, House Republicans pledged to uphold the law in the administration’s place. “I’ve raised my hand to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the laws of our country,” Boehner said. “And if the Justice Department is not going to defend this act passed by Congress, well then we will.”
An Ohio Catholic hailing from a large family, Boehner also took a moment to reflect on his own pro-life roots. “Respect for life has never been a political issue for me,” he said. “I have eleven brothers and sisters, and my mother had us one at a time. I’m sure it wasn’t convenient for her. But I’m glad we’re all here.”