Local Democratic officials in Illinois (United States) are leading an effort to eliminate from government buildings the name of Henry J. Hyde, the late Republican congressman who lent his name to a important federal policy provided which prohibits the use of taxpayers’ funds for most elective abortions.
The Dupage County Board, controlled by the Democrats, a rich suburban jurisdiction to the west of Chicago, voted 10-5 at the beginning of this week to eliminate the name of Hyde from the County Justice Palace and the offices related in Wheaton, due to the opposition of Hyde to abortion.
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The Palace of Justice will now be known as the installation of the Dupage County Judicial Office, reported The Chicago Tribune.
“This resolution reinforces the idea that the buildings of this campus support the right of all people to receive the services they need. I think our actions must reflect our values, ”said the president of the Board, the Democrat Debroy.
The “Hyde amendment” prohibits the use of medical taxpayers for most elective abortions, but includes exceptions for cases involving violation, incest or risk of maternal mortality.
The Congress first promulgated the amendment defended by HYDE in 1976, shortly after the judgment of the case Roe v. Wade of 1973, which legalized abortion throughout the country until the Supreme Court revoked it in 2022.
Since this policy is not a permanent law, it must be attached to individual assignments law as an additional clause, specifying that established medical care funds cannot be used for elective abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or when The mother’s life is at stake.
Who was Henry Hyde?
Hyde, who He died in 2007represented parties of the Dupage County in the House of Representatives of the United States since 1975. It was Catholic and in 2006 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him gentleman of the pontifical equestrian order of San Gregorio Magno, an honor that the Pope grants to recognize the merit and service.
The measure of the Dupage County Board caused A variety of reactions After being published, and many commentators described her as error, including the Democratic strategist David Axelrod, who described her as “Unfortunate measure”.
Hyde’s son, Anthony, told “Ewtn News Nightly” this week that he and his family had heard “rumors” in recent years about legislators who wanted to eliminate the name of his father, an action he called “part of the Cancellation culture ”.
“My father was much more than a politician who dedicated himself to a single issue. My father did many good things for Dupage County … My father was also someone who helped families. He supported tax exemptions for low -income families and children. He was a firm defender of adoption services as an alternative to abortion, ”said Anthony Hyde.
“He understood that you can’t take care of the fetus. It is true that you have to take care of the fetus, but after nine months you cannot simply leave and say: ‘Well, you are alone’ ”.
Although the disposition enjoyed bipartisan support in the past, many abortion promoters and Democratic legislators have expressed their opposition to the Hyde amendment in recent years.
President Joe Biden, supporter of legal abortion, excluded Repeatedly the Hyde amendment of your budget applications Despite having supported the amendment years ago as a senator.
In contrast, President Donald Trump issued on January 25 An executive order which promotes the restoration of policies such as the Hyde amendment and the policy of Mexico City, which prohibits the financing of abortions abroad, reversing the actions taken by Biden during their mandate.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Jonah McKeown
Jonah McKeown is editor and producer of Podcasts of Catholic News Agency. He has a master’s degree from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri and has worked as a writer, radio producer and cameraman.