Executive Order 13535

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Executive Order 13535 is an executive order announced by President Barack Obama on March 21, 2010, and signed on March 24, 2010. It reinforces a commitment to preservation of the Hyde Amendment's policy restricting federal funds for abortion within the context of recent health care legislation. [1] [2] The order was signed after an agreement with anti-abortion Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, who had said he and several other anti-abortion Democrats in the House of Representatives would not support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless the Bill's language prohibiting federal funding of abortions was strengthened. [3] [4]

The executive order was condemned as ineffective by major anti-abortion organizations, including the Susan B. Anthony List, [5] the National Right to Life Committee, [5] the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, [6] Family Research Council, [7] the American Family Association, [8] Focus on the Family, [8] and Americans United for Life, [9] among others. The organizations said executive orders can be rescinded at any time by any administration. [8] They also said the fact that an executive order was needed proves that the health care law did fund abortion. [8] The National Right to Life Committee said the executive order did not correct seven provisions in the law they identified as objectionable. [10]

Pro-abortion rights groups also condemned the executive order, questioning Obama's commitment to the pro-abortion rights position. [5] The National Organization for Women, [5] Planned Parenthood, [11] NARAL Pro-Choice America, [12] and EMILY's List [13] were among pro-abortion rights groups opposing the executive order.

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References

  1. Shear, Michael D. (March 24, 2010), "Obama signs executive order on abortion out of sight of media glare", The Washington Post , Retrieved March 24, 2010
  2. "White House Defends Abortion-related Executive Order, Even as Obama Signs it" Archived 2010-03-27 at the Wayback Machine , Fox News , March 24, 2010, Retrieved March 24, 2010
  3. "Obama issues executive order on abortion", UPI.com , March 21, 2010, Retrieved March 21, 2010
  4. Montgomery, Lori & Murray, Shailagh (March 21, 2010) "In deal with Stupak, White House announces executive order on abortion", The Washington Post , Retrieved March 21, 2010
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Choice, Life Groups Slam Obama Order on Abortion Funding", Fox News, Mar. 21, 2010
  6. "President Obama Signs Executive Order on Abortion". PBS NewsHour . 24 March 2010. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  7. Rep. Randy Neugebauer: I yelled 'baby killer' during Rep. Bart Stupak's speech
  8. 1 2 3 4 Stupak: From Prolife Groups' Hero to Villain 'In a Nanosecond'
  9. Pro-Life Leader Charmaine Yoest: Stupak Deal 'A Tragedy for America'
  10. "Statement by the National Right to Life Committee on abortion "deal" on health care legislation". Archived from the original on 2011-05-15. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  11. Statement of Cecile Richards, President of PPFA, on House Passing Historic Health Care Reform Bill
  12. NOW, NARAL displeased with Obama-Stupak deal
  13. It's back: Abortion debate reignites