Bill 117 HR 8776, also known as the No Federal Funds for Abortion Travel Expenses Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to prohibit the use of federal funds to cover travel expenses related to obtaining an abortion.
If passed, this bill would prevent any federal funds, including those from government programs like Medicaid, from being used to pay for transportation costs associated with seeking an abortion. This would apply to both domestic and international travel for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.
Supporters of the bill argue that federal funds should not be used to support or promote abortion, and that taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize travel expenses for this purpose. They believe that this legislation is necessary to uphold the principles of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services.
Opponents of the bill, on the other hand, argue that it would disproportionately impact low-income individuals who may not have the means to cover travel expenses on their own. They argue that restricting access to abortion services in this way could infringe on women's reproductive rights and disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
Overall, Bill 117 HR 8776 is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the role of federal funding in supporting access to abortion services. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its outcome remains uncertain.