WASHINGTON--(ENEWSPF)--June 21 - Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, today criticized members of the U.S. House of Representatives for continuing to attack choice at a time when Americans need them to focus on the challenges facing the nation.

The Appropriations Committee yesterday rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) that would have lifted a ban that prohibits the District of Columbia from using its own locally raised revenue to cover abortion services for low-income women, two years after anti-choice lawmakers reinstated this harmful ban. The amendment introduced by Rep. Lee would have restored the ability of locally elected leaders to decide whether to use the District’s own money to pay for this health care.

“I am proud of pro-choice leaders like Rep. Barbara Lee who never waver on their commitment to ensure women can get affordable health care,” Keenan said. “Unfortunately, far too many members of Congress are moonlighting as D.C. city council members. District residents did not vote for these anti-choice politicians to dictate how their local government provides services—in fact, these residents didn’t vote for them at all. NARAL will work with leaders, like Rep. Lee, and other champions who stand up and fight against this egregious interference by anti-choice members of Congress.”

Congress’ meddling local affairs has severe consequences. In 2010, after Congress passed a budget deal reinstating the D.C. abortion ban, 28 women who had scheduled appointments for abortion services had their appointments cancelled because D.C. could no longer pay for this care. Fortunately, charitable groups helped these women, but women in similar situations since then have struggled to pay for their care.

In addition to interfering in D.C.’s local decisions, the panel also approved a far-reaching ban on abortion coverage in multi-state plans created under the health-reform law’s new state-based exchanges. This amendment offered by anti-choice Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R- Ala.) goes even further than the current law in restricting abortion coverage in the new system, denying consumers the option of a private insurance plan that covers abortion. Currently, nearly 90 percent of private insurance plans cover abortion services.

“It’s abundantly clear that waging a War on Women continues to be a top priority among anti-choice politicians in Congress,” Keenan said. “Their ill-advised agenda serves as a reminder of how out of touch they are with America’s values and priorities.”

NARAL Pro-Choice America will remain vigilant in countering these efforts to undermine women’s health.

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For more than 30 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has been the nation's leading advocate for privacy and a woman's right to choose. With more than one million members and supporters, NARAL Pro-Choice America is fighting to protect the pro-choice values of freedom and privacy. With the Supreme Court one vote away from overturning Roe v. Wade and many state legislatures under anti-choice control, our work has never been more important.