Republicans Resist Dems’ Calls For Abortion Clinics on Federal Land

WASHINGTON — Republicans are pushing back against calls for abortion clinics to be established on federal lands following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

After the Supreme Court overturned the monumental case a week ago, sending the power to decide abortion laws back to the states, progressive lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  (D-NY) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) quickly called on President Joe Biden to take action.

“Yeah, I’ll start with the babiest of the babiest of baby steps. Open abortion clinics on federal lands in red states right now,” Ocasio-Cortez yelled into a microphone amid a crowd of pro-abortion protestors, though the Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions.

WATCH:

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: “Open abortion clinics on federal lands in red states right now!”

“Right now!” pic.twitter.com/sFvl101mSt

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 28, 2022

GOP lawmakers are moving to block any such effort.

Led by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Republican lawmakers introduced legislation Friday “to prohibit any head of a federal agency or department from leasing certain federal property to abortion providing organizations, and for other purposes.”

The “Protecting Life on Federal Lands Act,” first obtained by The Daily Wire, defines federal property as any territory, possession, building, property, or land owned by the United States or a department or agency of the District of Columbia.

“The radical left believes in abortion at all cost,” Boebert said in a statement to The Daily Wire. “AOC, Senator Pocahontas, and the rest of the Genocide Squad will not rest until every baby in America is at risk.”

“I believe that America’s unborn sons and daughters who are our future should be protected,” she continued. “My bill ensures extremists won’t be able to use federal lands and military bases to circumvent the SCOTUS decision and perform abortions.”

Co-sponsors include GOP House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and Republicans Jody Hice (R-GA), Bob Good (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ken Buck (R-CO), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Warren Davidson (R-OH), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT).

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rejected the notion that the president would allow abortions to take place on federal property in defiance of state bans.

“We understand the proposal is well-intentioned, but here’s the thing: It could actually put women and providers at risk,” said Jean-Pierre from aboard Air Force One.

US President Joe Biden (C) walks with officials as he prepares to board Airforce One at Madrid-Torrejon Airport in Madrid on June 30, 2022, after attending a summit of The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

“And importantly,” she added, “in states where abortion is now illegal, women and providers who are not federal employees, as you look at the federal land, could be potentially — be prosecuted. And so this is, as we understand why they would put forward this proposal, there’s actually dangerous ramifications to doing this.”

Jean-Pierre also noted that Biden does not support expanding the Supreme Court, nor has he changed his stance on eliminating the filibuster, and Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday that the Biden administration was not discussing whether to establish abortion clinics on federal lands.

The Hyde Amendment bans the use of federal funding for abortions unless “the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.”

Early on in his career,Biden formerly referenced his faith as a reason for his pro-life votes in the Senate. He changed his stance on the Hyde Amendment on the campaign trail in 2019 under heavy pressure from his Democratic contenders.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.