Republicans cut ‘forcible rape’ from anti-abortion bill
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers have removed the term “forcible rape” from an anti-abortion bill in Congress after women’s groups accused them of trying to change the widely held definition of rape.
The bill, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, seeks to permanently bar federal funds from being used to subsidize abortions. It allows exceptions in cases in which the pregnancy resulted from incest or when the mother’s life would be threatened if the fetus was carried to term.
In the original language, it also allowed exceptions in cases of “forcible rape.” The term provoked an outcry from critics, who said rape is by definition committed by force and lawmakers were seeking to exclude from coverage certain kinds of rape by adding the modifier; for example, cases in which the victim was underage or unconscious.
The bill now echoes existing law by taking out the term “forcible” and excepting all cases of rape.
A spokesman for Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., a chief sponsor of the bill, said Thursday that Republicans decided to change the term because it was being “misconstrued.”
Hearings on the legislation are to begin next week. It has 173 co-sponsors, including 10 Democrats. It is considered a top priority of Republican leaders in the House.
It would make permanent several provisions that prevent federal money from paying for abortions. Some of those provisions now, notably the Hyde Amendment, must be renewed yearly. The bill also would make it more difficult for women to obtain abortions through their private insurance.
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