The Hyde amendment, which, prevents federal funding from being used to fund abortions is apparently something that Joe Biden supports. But the 2020 Democratic field is not happy about it and they are now attacking him over it.
It all started with this question from an ACLU supporter where Biden seemingly commits to repealing the Hyde amendment (h/t: NTK)
Our volunteer Nina asked Joe Biden whether, as president, he would lift the Hyde amendment, which bans federal insurance coverage of abortion.
He said yes. #RightsForAll pic.twitter.com/W4jT7RLNzN
— ACLU (@ACLU) May 8, 2019
That was a month ago.
When the video got traction this week, Biden’s campaign quickly backtracked on repealing the Hyde amendment, noting that he still supports it:
The Biden campaign says he misheard this woman on the ropeline and thought she was referring to the Mexico City rule… Biden has not at this point changed his position on the Hyde Amendment, his campaign confirms to @ericbradner
— Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) June 5, 2019
Now 2020 Democrats everywhere are calling for the repeal of the Hyde amendment:
No woman’s access to reproductive health care should be based on how much money she has. We must repeal the Hyde Amendment.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 5, 2019
Big Chief Elizabeth Warren says Biden is wrong to support the Hyde amendment:
The Hyde Amendment harms the most vulnerable women and limits their ability to safely access abortion. It’s time for Hyde to go. #WarrenTownHall pic.twitter.com/JrgnCugT47
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) June 6, 2019
And so does Beto:
Beto O’Rourke on Hyde Amendment: “The Vice President is absolutely wrong on this one.” https://t.co/KUsAXjlxSW pic.twitter.com/9Xdz7oqmo5
— The Hill (@thehill) June 6, 2019
Repeal the Hyde Amendment. pic.twitter.com/2IOS3LQJNB
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 17, 2019
Bernie vows to repeal it:
There is #NoMiddleGround on women’s rights. Abortion is a constitutional right. Under my Medicare for All plan, we will repeal the Hyde Amendment.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 5, 2019
Gillibrand says repealing it is critical:
Repealing 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.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 5, 2019
My guess is that Biden is trying not to sound as ‘radical’ as the rest of the field to set himself apart. But with all of this pressure on him now, it probably won’t be long before Biden changes his position on the Hyde amendment.