No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 49
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-06T16:49:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act," aims to block the use of federal taxpayer money for a specific task force within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) focused on reproductive healthcare access. It targets an initiative announced in 2022 and prevents funding for any similar future efforts.
Key Provisions
- Short Title (Section 1): The bill is officially named the "No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act."
- Funding Prohibition (Section 2): No federal funds may be used for:
- The HHS Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force, which was announced by the HHS Secretary on January 21, 2022.
- Any successor task force or one that is substantially similar in purpose or structure.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a new restriction on federal spending by explicitly barring funds for the named task force and equivalents, which did not previously exist in law.
- It does not amend broader laws on reproductive healthcare but adds a targeted defunding mechanism, relying on Congress's constitutional authority to control appropriations (the "power of the purse").
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The HHS would be unable to allocate federal resources to operate, staff, or support the task force, potentially leading to its dissolution or shift to non-federal funding sources if it continues.
- On Citizens: Individuals seeking information or support related to reproductive healthcare access (including topics like contraception, abortion, and maternal health) might face reduced federal coordination or outreach, though existing HHS programs on these issues would remain unaffected.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic federal spending.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Directly impacted as the agency responsible for the task force.
- Members of Congress: Sponsors like Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) represent interests in limiting certain federal health initiatives; the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.
- Advocacy Groups: Pro-life organizations may support the defunding, while reproductive rights and women's health advocates could oppose it, viewing the task force as essential for equitable access to care.
- General Public: Taxpayers and those relying on federal health resources, particularly in underserved communities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Enforces Congress's oversight of executive branch activities through budget control; if passed, it could face challenges if seen as infringing on executive discretion in health policy implementation.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress exclusive power over federal spending, but could spark debates on separation of powers if it overly micromanages agency operations.
- Political: Highlights partisan divides on reproductive rights, with the bill's title and focus signaling opposition to abortion-related federal efforts; its introduction in the 119th Congress (2025) reflects ongoing legislative battles post-Roe v. Wade overturning.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)