January 1, Trump Stirs GOP Tension Over Abortion In Health Debate

Wyatt’s Take

• Trump urges GOP to rethink abortion stance on health subsidy talks
• Key Republicans refuse to budge on taxpayer funding limits
• Party faces tough choices ahead of November elections

Republicans looking to reach a deal on expired Obamacare subsidies got a new twist when President Trump suggested the party be more “flexible on Hyde,” the longtime law stopping federal money from funding abortions.

This push comes as GOP leaders try to rally the base and find middle ground on health care, but the abortion issue keeps dividing talks.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) made his stance clear after Trump spoke:

“I’m not flexible on the value of human life. I don’t believe some children are disposable and some children are valuable.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said any solution on the Hyde Amendment was the “most challenging” part.

Bipartisan agreement has been stuck for months with each side holding firm. Democrats argue there are already strong rules against funding abortions, calling out GOP attempts as a back-door ban, while Republicans want more restrictions.

Trump told House Republicans at their retreat,

“You have to be a little flexible on Hyde. You know that. You got to be a little flexible. You got to work something. You got to use ingenuity.”

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) doubled down on keeping tight rules, saying:

“There is no interest among any Republicans to veer from the idea that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fight abortions. There’s no Republican that I know of in this building that’s saying, ‘Hey, there should be federal tax dollars to pay for abortions.’”

Anti-abortion groups blasted Trump for hinting at compromise. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said,

“To suggest Republicans should be ‘flexible’ is an abandonment of this decades-long commitment. If Republicans abandon Hyde, they are sure to lose this November.”

Yet Democrats saw Trump’s comments as an opening for progress. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) called it helpful and gave an agreement a “50-50” shot.

Trump also pressed Republicans to send money straight to people through health savings accounts instead of insurance companies:

“Let the money go in a healthcare account, or however you do it. Let the money go directly to the people.”

Meanwhile, the GOP-led House is aiming to pass a three-year extension for subsidies, but the Senate is set to block it again. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) accused Republicans of being partisan and stuck on Hyde.

With time running out and election season coming, where Republicans land on this issue could shape the outcome for years.

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Wyatt Matters

This debate hits home because it’s about protecting life and hard-earned tax dollars. Regular folks just want fair health care and commonsense values that don’t get tossed aside for politics.