Obama threatens veto on second abortion bill

The Obama administration on Thursday threatened to block Republicans’ latest abortion bill, arguing that the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions is already illegal under federal law.

“Longstanding federal policy prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, except in the cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered,” the White House wrote in a statement.

{mosads}“The administration strongly opposes legislation that necessarily restricts women’s reproductive freedoms and consumers’ private insurance options,” the statement reads.

More than two-dozen states have passed similar laws restricting public funds for abortion, though it is specifically banned under ObamaCare.

Taxpayer funding for abortions was a major sticking point when the Affordable Care Act was initially debated in 2009 and 2010. Conservatives have revived the issue in recent years while arguing that the federal government is failing to enforce that rule, known as the Hyde amendment.

The veto threat comes hours after GOP leadership replaced a more contentious abortion bill after a revolt led by some lawmakers over the bill’s language on rape.

The new bill, which has already passed the House, has been met with fierce criticism from abortion-rights supporters. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday that the bill is “even worse” than the original legislation slated to reach a vote that day.