DC Council Sends Letter to Congress, White House Objecting To H.R. 3

May 3, 2011

The DC Council has sent a letter to congressional leaders and President Obama objecting to H.R. 3, a bill that "would prohibit the District of Columbia from using its own, locally-raised funds to support abortion services for low-income women."

The letter, signed by all councilmembers, cites bipartisan agreement that "local governments should decide what is best with respect to local issues. This belief is a bedrock American principle" that also underlies the Home Rule Act allowing for local self-governance in the District.

The Council goes on to assert that H.R. 3 "would make the District of Columbia the only jurisdiction in the country that is prohibited from choosing whether or not to use its own locally-raised funds to support low-income abortion services." 17 states currently provide this coverage for their residents, and H.R. 3 would not prohibit them from doing so.

Click here to read the full letter with signatures.

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