Name: Philadelphia Violates Hyde Amendment by Using Tax Dollars to Fund Abortions: Attorney
Uploaded: 2022-08-25T10:55:42.000Z
Description: PHILADELPHIA—Thomas W. King III, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm, states that the allocation of public funds for abortion violates both the federal Hyde Amendment and Pennsylvania's state version of the legislative provision.

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

NTD Plus

News

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Next Wave of US Attacks Will Be the Worst for Iran so Far, Says Navy SEAL Veteran

Campuses Are Better Without DEI: Education Expert

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

House Rejects Women’s Museum Bill After GOP Dedicates It to ‘Biological Women’

Charges Against 15 Accused Fraudsters in Minnesota ‘Likely Just the Tip of the Iceberg,’ Legal Expert Says

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

US News

Rubio: ICE Arrests Sister of Cuban Regime-Linked Executive

Kelly McBride Ni is a news writer for NTD based in North Carolina. 


Kelly McBride Ni

State News

Minnesota

Minnesota Fraud Suspect Arrested Hours After Jumping From 4th Floor Balcony During FBI Raid

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

World News

Europe

US to Send 5,000 More Troops to Poland, Trump Announces

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Rachel Acenas is an experienced journalist and TV news reporter and anchor covering breaking stories and contributing original news content for NTD's digital team.

Rachel Acenas

Health News

Ebola Outbreak Prompts US to Direct Some Flights to Dulles for Screening

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

‘It Pays to Shop Around’: How to Avoid Insurance Bill Shock, According to a Financial Planner

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 22)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 21)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 20)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 19)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 18)

Accommodating, Enabling China’s Regime a Failed Strategy: China Expert

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 14)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 12)

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

India Responds to Trump’s Repost of Birthright Citizenship Comment

Trump Withdraws National Park Service Nominee

Lily Sun is an Epoch Times reporter who covers the tri-state of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.


Lily Sun

PHILADELPHIA—Thomas W. King III, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm, states that the allocation of public funds for abortion violates both the federal Hyde Amendment and Pennsylvania's state version of the legislative provision.

On Aug. 16, King and three other attorneys representing Philadelphia residents <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/philadelphia-illegally-using-taxpayer-money-to-pay-for-abortions-lawsuit_4673089.html">filed a lawsuit</a> against the City of Philadelphia for its allocation of $500,000 in public funds to the Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania. The organization provides "emergency financial assistance" for women seeking abortions, according to its website. Pennsylvania Mayor James Kenney announced the funding on Aug. 4.

“It is against the law to expend public tax dollars for abortions, except in very limited circumstances, under the Hyde Amendment,” King told The Epoch Times, “Both the Federal Hyde Amendment and the Pennsylvania Hyde Amendment restrict the expenditure of public funds for abortion, except in limited circumstances. It's very important that people understand that.”

The Hyde Amendment bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion in the United States, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest. The original Hyde Amendment was passed in 1976 and was named for its chief sponsor, Republican Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois.

"There have been attempts by the Democrats to undo the Hyde Amendment, which have been unsuccessful so far. It certainly has been a subject of lots of discussion across the United States,” King continued.

"The Thomas More Society, which I'm representing in this matter, with the consent of our clients, is greatly interested in preserving the Hyde Amendment, preserving the Pennsylvania Hyde amendment, and protecting the tax dollars of the citizens of Philadelphia from being expended in this way."
<h2>Pennsylvania Version of Hyde Amendment Also Bars Public Funding</h2>
King explained, "In Pennsylvania, we have a similar law, typically called the Pennsylvania Hyde Amendment, [which states that] abortions cannot be funded by public tax dollars. The only exceptions are to save the life of the mother or for rape or incest. Other than that, public tax dollars cannot be expended in this way to pay for people's abortions."

The Pennsylvania version of the Hyde Amendment, to which King refers, is the <a href="https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=32">Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act</a>, which states the following regarding public funds: <span style="font-size: 16px;">"No Commonwealth funds and no Federal funds which are appropriated by the Commonwealth shall be expended by any State or local government agency for the performance of an abortion," with exceptions being pregnancies arising from incest or rape, or to save the mother's life.</span>

Another law mentioned in the lawsuit as being violated is the Pennsylvania Human Services Code, which states similarly: "Since it is the public policy of the Commonwealth to favor childbirth over abortion, no Commonwealth funds and no Federal funds which are appropriated by the Commonwealth shall be expended by any State or local government agency for the performance of an abortion"—with similar exceptions to those stipulated in the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act. (<a href="https://thomasmoresociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Complaint.pdf">pdf</a>)

King said he believes a lawyer's responsibility is to uphold the law: “I try to go by my life, following the law, representing people who want to uphold the law, and challenging those things that I don't think are legally accurate or correct."

The plaintiffs in this case, Charles P. Kuhar, Sr., and Theresa M. Kuhar, are active in the pro-life movement in Philadelphia.

A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31 in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

The Epoch Times reached out to Philadelphia Mayor Kenney for comment. The Mayor's Office of Communications replied, "Since this is pending litigation, we are unable to comment.”

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/philadephia-violates-hyde-amendment-by-using-tax-dollars-to-fund-abortions-attorney_4677302.html">The Epoch Times</a></em>

abortion

Videos

Politics

04_Top Stories

amendment

Philadelphia

Latest Clips

Abortion

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.