/ Source: MSNBC TV
House Republicans will get to work today, holding another all-male congressional hearing on -- what else? -- restricting access to abortion.
Ahem.
As the Senate takes up a measure to extend unemployment insurance, Republicans in the House of Representatives are looking to make 2014 another banner year for anti-abortion laws. A panel of 12 men on the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on a bill Thursday that would deny tax subsidies to women and small businesses who purchase health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. The bill only makes an exception for rape and incest victims and women who would die without abortion care, which opponents say could prompt the IRS to audit any woman who claims one of these exceptions.
Congress’ to-do list is long and getting longer, and one would like to assume an institution that has failed to a historic degree to get things done would be eager to roll up its sleeves and do real work. Blowing off economic concerns to fight a culture war is arguably the worst use of lawmakers’ time.
But in just a few minutes, a dozen white dudes will nevertheless convene a hearing of another anti-abortion bill. Indeed, note that the “No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion” bill, as it’s called, has been given a top bill number (H.R. 7) to help convey its significance to the House Republican majority.
As for the merits of the proposal, NARAL Pro-Choice America circulated materials yesterday arguing the legislation would:
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It’s worth emphasizing that the proposal is unlikely to become law. Even if it passes the House, it’s prospects in the Senate are poor and there’s simply no way President Obama would consider signing this into law.
House Republicans know this, but they’re investing time and energy into this endeavor anyway.
