Hyde Amendment Explained: Federal Abortion Funding, Trump’s Comments, and the Pro‑Life Response

Fr. Shenan Boquet explains how the Hyde Amendment limits federal abortion funding and why pro‑lifers see it as a cornerstone of U.S. pro‑life policy.

What is the Hyde Amendment — and why is it back in the news?

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet joins us to discuss this bipartisan federal policy that has prevented taxpayer funding of abortion for nearly 50 years. With recent comments from President Donald Trump raising questions about “flexibility” around Hyde, this conversation explains:

• What the Hyde Amendment actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Why it must be renewed every year
• How it has saved millions of lives
• Why abortion is not healthcare
• How Hyde fits into federal healthcare policy, Medicaid, and insurance subsidies
• What pro-lifers should make of current political debates
• Why weakening Hyde would undermine state-level abortion policy after Dobbs

Fr. Boquet also explains how the Hyde Amendment serves as a moral and ideological bulwark against efforts to redefine abortion as healthcare — both in the U.S. and internationally.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand:

• Pro-life public policy
• Federal funding and abortion
• The future of the Hyde Amendment
• How Catholics and pro-lifers should respond in today’s political climate

Charlotte Lozier 2016 Study: OP_hyde_9.28.3.pdf

Free e-book! Get your copy of "Why We Don't Need Abortion (even for the hard cases)" here: Ever Have Trouble Explaining Why Abortion is NEVER Needed? | Human Life International (hli.org)

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro to Hyde Amendment

02:52 What Is the Hyde Amendment? Explained

04:45 Lives Saved by the Hyde Amendment

06:12 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion

08:52 History of the Hyde Amendment

10:55 Global Impact of Hyde Amendment

12:04 Hyde Amendment vs Mexico City Policy

18:30 Why Abortion Isn't Medical Care

19:17 Trump's Recent Comments on Hyde

22:30 Affordable Care Act and Abortion Funding

25:40 Trump's Healthcare Vision: HSAs vs Subsidies

27:10 IRS Definition of Medical Care and Abortion

36:42 Is the Hyde Amendment Practical Today?

42:42 Moral Vision for Life & Family

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