Several Democrats running for president in 2020 distanced themselves on Wednesday from former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE after he confirmed his support for a controversial policy banning the use of federal funds for certain abortion services.<\/p>\n
Biden campaign aides confirmed to The Hill Wednesday that the former vice president maintains his support for the Hyde Amendment, which prevents government health programs like Medicaid from paying for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the woman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The campaign added that Biden would be open to repealing the amendment if access to abortion protected under Roe v. Wade was threatened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Biden is the only Democrat running for president in 2020 who supports the Hyde Amendment. Other front-runners, including Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters \u2014 who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Warren, Pressley introduce bill to make it a crime for police officers to deny medical care to people in custody Senate Dems press DOJ over coronavirus safety precautions in juvenile detention centers MORE (D-N.Y.), have all said they support repealing it. The Democratic National Committee also included repealing the Hyde Amendment in its 2016 platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowded 2020 Democratic primary field quickly\u00a0began criticizing\u00a0Biden for his support of the amendment, touting their vows to repeal the amendment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is #NoMiddleGround on women\u2019s rights. Abortion is a constitutional right. Under my Medicare for All plan, we will repeal the Hyde Amendment,\u201d Sanders, who has consistently finished second to Biden in polling, tweeted.<\/p>\n
\nThere is #NoMiddleGround on women\u2019s rights. Abortion is a constitutional right. Under my Medicare for All plan, we will repeal the Hyde Amendment.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“No woman’s access to reproductive health care should be based on how much money she has. We must repeal the Hyde Amendment,” Harris said.<\/p>\n
\nNo woman’s access to reproductive health care should be based on how much money she has. We must repeal the Hyde Amendment.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 5, 2019\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Warren told reporters she \u201cwill lead the fight\u201d to\u00a0overturn\u00a0the amendment and it \u201cshould not be American law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nI asked @ewarren just now about Biden\u2019s support of Hyde. She said she \u201cwill lead the fight to have it overturned.\u201d
Pressed on if D nominee can hold that position: \u201cit\u2019s not about the politics, its about whats right. The Hyde amendment should not be American law.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/zeghcybARk<\/p>\n\u2014 Ali Vitali (@alivitali) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cRepealing the Hyde Amendment is critical so that low-income women in particular can have access to the reproductive care they need and deserve,\u201d Gillibrand said. \u201cReproductive rights are human rights, period. They should be nonnegotiable for all Democrats.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nRepealing the Hyde Amendment is critical so that low-income women in particular can have access to the reproductive care they need and deserve.
Reproductive rights are human rights, period. They should be nonnegotiable for all Democrats.<\/p>\n\u2014 Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“The Hyde Amendment is a threat to reproductive rights that punishes women and families who already struggle with access to adequate health care services,” Booker tweeted.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe Hyde Amendment is a threat to reproductive rights that punishes women and families who already struggle with access to adequate health care services. pic.twitter.com\/oxza4Odg8t<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cNo matter your income or where you live, every woman should have access to health care including abortion,\u201d former Rep. Beto O\u2019Rourke (D-Texas) said, retweeting a video of him calling for the amendment\u2019s repeal.<\/p>\n
\nNo matter your income or where you live, every woman should have access to health care including abortion. https:\/\/t.co\/UqTwmmMFDD<\/p>\n
\u2014 Beto O’RourkeBeto O’RourkeBiden will help close out Texas Democrats’ virtual convention: report O’Rourke on Texas reopening: ‘Dangerous, dumb and weak’ Parties gear up for battle over Texas state House MORE (@BetoORourke) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cI voted against the Hyde Amendment in 1993. It was wrong then and it is wrong now. Reproductive health care is health care. Period,\u201d Washington Gov. Jay InsleeJay Robert InsleeInslee calls on Trump to ‘stay out of Washington state’s business’ Seattle mayor responds to Trump: ‘Go back to your bunker’ Trump warns he will take back Seattle from ‘ugly Anarchists’ if local leaders don’t act MORE (D), who served in the House when the amendment passed, tweeted.<\/p>\n
\nI voted against the Hyde Amendment in 1993. It was wrong then and it is wrong now. Reproductive health care is health care. Period.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cAll women should have access to reproductive care, regardless of their income or the state they live in. Abortion care is health care\u2014it’s time to repeal the #HydeAmendment,\u201d former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Juli\u00e1n Castro said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nAll women should have access to reproductive care, regardless of their income or the state they live in. Abortion care is health care\u2014it’s time to repeal the #HydeAmendment.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Juli\u00e1n Castro (@JulianCastro) June 5, 2019\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t live in the past when it comes to women\u2019s health. The next president must appoint judges who #ProtectRoe BUT also MUST fight to #RepealHyde. @PPact @NARAL @ilyseh,\u201d Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellNASCAR bans display of Confederate flag from events and properties Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Grenell says intelligence community working to declassify Flynn-Kislyak transcripts MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted, tagging several abortion rights groups.<\/p>\n
\nWe can\u2019t live in the past when it comes to women\u2019s health. The next president must appoint judges who #ProtectRoe BUT also MUST fight to #RepealHyde. @PPact @NARAL @ilyseh<\/p>\n
\u2014 Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cThe Hyde Amendment is a tax on millions of Americans seeking abortion. It\u2019s wrong and should be repealed. Access to abortion care shouldn\u2019t be limited by your zip code, income, or health care provider. It is a RIGHT,\u201d Rep. Tim RyanTimothy (Tim) RyanMinnesota AG Keith Ellison says racism is a bigger problem than police behavior; 21 states see uptick in cases amid efforts to reopen Congress must fill the leadership void Pelosi pushes to unite party on coronavirus bill despite grumbling from left MORE (D-Ohio) tweeted.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hyde Amendment is a tax on millions of Americans seeking abortion. It\u2019s wrong and should be repealed. Access to abortion care shouldn\u2019t be limited by your zip code, income, or health care provider. It is a RIGHT https:\/\/t.co\/yO2H3CaIOb<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“At a time when women’s rights are under attack, we need to stand tall for our values. The #HydeAmendent actively harms women by limiting access and choice. It needs to be repealed,” former Colorado Gov. John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperGun control group rolls out first round of Senate endorsements The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ Hickenlooper ethics questions open him up to attack MORE said.”<\/p>\n
\nAt a time when women’s rights are under attack, we need to stand tall for our values. The #HydeAmendent actively harms women by limiting access and choice. It needs to be repealed.<\/p>\n
\u2014 John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“Defenders of women and their health care rights have agreed for decades: the Hyde Amendment is federally sanctioned discrimination. It is wrong and should be overturned immediately,” Sen. Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetSome realistic solutions for income inequality Democratic senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd 21 senators urge Pentagon against military use to curb nationwide protests MORE (D-Colo.) tweeted.<\/p>\n
\nDefenders of women and their health care rights have agreed for decades: the Hyde Amendment is federally sanctioned discrimination. It is wrong and should be overturned immediately.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Michael Bennet (@MichaelBennet) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“The Hyde Amendment only hurts low income women, especially women of color. If you don\u2019t support repeal, you shouldn\u2019t be the Democratic nominee,” New York City Mayor Bill de BlasioBill de BlasioProtesters splash red paint on NYC streets to symbolize blood De Blasio: Robert E Lee’s ‘name should be taken off everything in America, period’ House Democratic whip pushes back on calls to defund police: We need to focus on reform MORE tweeted, adding that “when it comes to supporting American women on issues like repealing the Hyde Amendment, @JoeBiden is Dr. Jekyll.”<\/p>\n
\nAnd when it comes to supporting American women on issues like repealing the Hyde Amendment, @JoeBiden is Dr. Jekyll.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) June 5, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Biden\u2019s\u00a0continued support for the amendment also earned him criticism from several abortion rights groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe unfair Hyde Amendment makes it so that those who have the least end up having to pay the most to access abortion, and those who are service members or live on reservations are often left with no coverage for abortion care,\u201d Kelly Robinson, Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s executive director, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage any candidate who doesn’t recognize Hyde’s impact to speak to the women it hurts most \u2014 particularly on women of color and women with low incomes \u2014 to learn more about the harmful impacts of this discriminatory policy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Biden\u2019s decades-long tenure in the Senate shows a number of votes that imposed varying restrictions on federal funds being used for abortion, including voting against a 1977 compromise that allowed Medicaid to fund abortions with exceptions for rape, incest or medical safety of the mother, and several votes against allowing federal workers to\u00a0use government-paid health insurance for\u00a0abortion services.<\/p>\n
The debate over abortion, long a hot-button issue for Democrats, has only ramped up in recent months as a slate of conservative states has moved to adopt stringent restrictions on the procedure.<\/p>\n
Many states have banned abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, often around six weeks into a pregnancy, though Alabama went the furthest by completely banning the procedure unless the mother\u2019s life is at risk.<\/p>\n