By: Miriam Edelman
The 118th Congress (2023-2025) continued its focus on abortions in Washington, D.C. Congress’ D.C. appropriations bills included an abortion rider that would have prevented D.C. from using its own money on abortions for low-income females. Another Congressional bill threatened some abortion measures in the nation’s capital.
On June 27, 2024, Representative Bob Good (R-VA) introduced H.R.8855 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect unborn children. This bill would have prohibited certain abortion measures, seemingly partial-birth abortions, in the District of Columbia and in facilities that the federal government owns or operates.
Yet again, Republicans tried to impose their policy principles on the nation’s capital, just as they have done with elections and other matters. For example, through HR. 4563 – American Confidence in Elections Act in the last Congress, the Republican-controlled House Committee on House Administration explicitly stated, “After years of mismanaged elections, our nation's capital will become a model for states.” DCNOW’s piece, entitled “D.C. Elections-Related Legislation Update” discussed this bill. H.R. 8855 had just six Republican co-sponsors.
H.R. 8855 did not become law. However, this bill could be re-introduced in the new Congress that takes office in January 2025.
D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson addressed H.R. 8855 in her November Newsletter #2: The Road Ahead and the Preservation of Home Rule. According to Henderson, this bill was one of the ways that Congress “has used to threaten the District’s autonomy.” Henderson wrote that H.R.8855 “[c]riminalizes access to reproductive health services.”
Congress must stop meddling with D.C. issues. Like all other U.S. citizens, D.C. residents deserve self-governance.
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