Xavier Becerra, the secretary of health and human services, said on Tuesday that the Biden administration is considering using public funds to assist women in getting abortions.
The revelation comes as legislators call for the use of public lands for abortions, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). On Monday, Warren even advocated using national parks.
Becerra stated during a news conference that all possibilities are on the table.
“What I can tell you is that we are aware of a number of ideas and proposals, many of which we have been considering internally ourselves. We have made no decisions yet. We certainly would have a conversation with the president to make sure we implement his directives to us in trying to protect women’s reproductive health care services,” Becerra stated.
Becerra declared his office would make sure rape and incest victims, expectant women whose lives are in risk, and others, have access to abortion drugs.
His admission that his organization is exploring all options after his Saturday comment that he was thinking about using public funds to transport women to areas where abortion is permitted.
Kate Snow, an NBC journalist, questioned, “Can you do that legally?”
After grinning, Becerra remarked, “Talk to me later.”
The services Becerra mentioned are likely unlawful.
The Hyde Amendment forbids the use of federal tax monies to pay for abortions, with the rare exceptions of rape, incest, or saving the mother’s life. It is almost definitely illegal to transport women to abortion facilities using government funds.
