Protecting Life, Supporting Mothers

For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has reflected a principle that resonates deeply with the values we hold in Nebraska: protecting vulnerable life while respecting the convictions of taxpayers. 

We value family, we lend a hand to those in need, and we believe every person—regardless of their age or circumstance—has value. These are not just ideas we talk about; they are values we see lived out in communities across our state every day. 

On September 30, 1976, Congress first adopted the Hyde Amendment, establishing an important principle: American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for abortions. Now, nearly half a century later, the Hyde Amendment has protected millions of unborn children and remains an important safeguard for taxpayers. In fact, the Hyde Amendment has helped save more than 2.6 million lives since it was first enacted. 

Those numbers represent real children and real families. They represent lives that have had the chance to grow, learn, work, raise families of their own, and contribute to their communities. That is the legacy of the Hyde Amendment, and it is one worth celebrating as we mark the 50th anniversary of this important protection. 

But if we are serious about building a culture that values life, our responsibility cannot stop there. We must also make sure mothers have the support they need to choose life and raise their children. That is why I will continue supporting policies that make it easier for mothers to find the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. 

The Empowering Moms Act is one example. I was proud to cosponsor this legislation and grateful to support it when it passed the Ways and Means Committee earlier this month. The bill would codify Moms.gov, a one-stop resource connecting expectant and new mothers with information about pregnancy, parenting, healthcare, financial assistance, and other resources available to them. Bringing these resources together in one place will make it easier for mothers and families to find the support they need during pregnancy and as they raise their children. 

No mother should not feel that she must choose between giving her child a future and having a future of her own. Every mother deserves to know that there are people and resources ready to stand beside her. Supporting mothers is an important part of protecting life.  

That same commitment guides my work to strengthen protections for unborn children. I was proud to cosponsor the Life at Conception Act, which recognizes that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in every human being at every stage of life, beginning at conception. I also cosponsor the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, which would prohibit federal funds from being used for abortions or health coverage that includes abortion. 

These efforts build on the principles that have guided the Hyde Amendment for 50 years: protecting unborn life and ensuring that Americans are not compelled to fund abortions with their tax dollars. 

As we mark this anniversary on September 30, 2026, I am grateful for the lives the Hyde Amendment has helped protect, and I remain committed to doing everything I can in Congress to protect the unborn while supporting their mothers and families.