Sanders defends support for spending legislation that included Hyde Amendment

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a 2020 White House hopeful, defended his support for abortion rights on Sunday, saying he’s only voted for the controversial Hyde Amendment when it was attached to larger spending bills. 

“Sometimes in a large bill you have to vote for things you don’t like, I think my records as being literally 100 percent pro-choice is absolutely correct,” Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” 

{mosads}Democratic primary candidates last week reiterated their support of repealing the Hyde Amendment, which prevents government funding for abortion in most cases, after former Vice President Joe Biden said he still supported it. Biden later reversed his position. 

“If you believe as I do that a woman’s right to control her own body is a constitutional right then that must apply to all women, including-low income women,” Sanders said on Sunday. 

Sanders also said support of Roe vs. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion, is the only litmus test he has for Supreme Court nominees. 

“I will never ever nominate someone to the Supreme Court that is not 100 percent defending Roe V. Wade,” he said.