The Nation - News from June 9, 1988

President Reagan proposed legislation to ban use of federal money to pay for any abortion unless a mother’s life is at stake. The bill, long promised by Reagan and titled The President’s Pro-Life Act of 1988, would make permanent, on a government-wide basis, the anti-abortion Hyde Amendment that now is included annually in the appropriation act for the Department of Health and Human Services. Citing an estimated 21 million abortions performed in the country since abortion was made legal in 1973, the President said the proposed law would “emphasize the urgent need to reduce the number of abortions in this country.” The action is likely to be symbolic, as congressional action on the bill is not expected this session and Reagan leaves office in January.