Green Bay Bishop David Ricken joins his fellow U.S. bishops in criticizing the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion" and "Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act."

“As bishops, we are resolute as we build a Culture of Life,” Ricken tweeted Feb. 6. “We are not as (President Joe Biden) portrayed us last week. Human life is sacred -- to be defended, nurtured and strengthened from conception forward.” 

Last week, Biden claimed that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) did not oppose taxpayer funding of abortion. When a reporter said, "Catholic bishops are demanding that abortions not be paid for using federal tax monies,” Biden denied that, saying, “No, they're not all doing it."

In late January,  Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge sent a letter in support of the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act" (H.R.7 and S.62) to House and Senate sponsors of the bill, the USCCB said. Burbidge is  chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities,. 

“Protecting taxpayers from being forced to pay for abortion in violation of their conscience is a principle that has enjoyed historically broad support among Americans, regardless of their otherwise passionately divided views on the topic. It has also been lifesaving,” Burbidge wrote in his letter. “Congress can better serve the common good by prioritizing policies that comprehensively assist women, children and families in need, in ways that will not only encourage childbirth, but make it easier to welcome and raise a new child.” 

Ricken backed Burbidge’s points.

“I stand fully united with my brother bishops in this,” Ricken said in his tweet.

For more than 45 years, the Hyde Amendment and comparable laws, which have been supported by both parties, have shielded taxpayers from paying for elective abortions. Now, influential members of Congress want to repeal them, which could require abortion costs to be covered by taxpayer money, according to Respect Life. Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment is estimated to have saved over 2.4 million lives. 

The "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," which has received support from the USCCB during prior congressional sessions, would make longstanding bans on federal funding for elective abortion permanent and government-wide, rather than relying on various appropriations, which may jeopardize these funding protections or other programs for the underprivileged.