Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly made the following statement regarding H.R. 3, The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.

“I welcome yesterday’s news that Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, the author of H.R. 3, is going to strike the word “forcible” from the bill," said Donnelly.  "Doing so will bring the bill’s language in line with the language of the Hyde Amendment, which has been the law of the land for 35 years.  The intention of the bill, as originally drafted, was not to change existing law regarding the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion-related services in cases of rape.  Rape is a violent and despicable act in every circumstance.  It is my firm belief that our laws should always reflect that fact.”

###