Anti-abortion language approved as amendment to House healthcare bill

Democrats on Tuesday argued that approving this language would prevent the federal program from contributing to legal abortion procedures, which could pose a risk to the health of women.

“What it would mean is that across the country, residents would be barred from learning how to perform even a basic medical procedure required for women’s health,” Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) said.

The amendment was attached to H.R. 1216, which scales back federal funding for a graduate-level medical training program created in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act last year.

The bill itself was approved shortly after 2:30 p.m., by a 234-185 vote, although the Senate is not expected to consider the bill. Three Democrats voted for the bill, and four Republicans voted against it.

— This story was updated at 2:39 p.m.