Tennessee House Adds
Provision to Cut Tax-Funded Abortions

May 19, 2003—Nashville, TN: State money could not be used to fund abortions under a provision tacked onto legislation Thursday that Gov. Phil Bredesen needs to make enough cuts and shifts in funds to balance his budget for next year.

Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, has tried for years to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions, but was always stymied by the Democrats who control the House.

State officials have said the government rarely funds abortions. Occasions may arise where the state might fund abortions, such as when a female inmate becomes pregnant while in prison.

During debate Thursday on the governor's "Omnibus Law" bill, Democratic House members tried without success to prevent a vote on Dunn's amendment, saying it was inappropriate.

"This is a really long, technical and complicated bill we're working on with a number of amendments that have required a tremendous amount of work where we can put this state back on track financially," said Rep. Rob Briley, D-Nashville.

But the House voted 53-39 to consider the proposal after Dunn asked them to "vote your conscience" and claimed Bredesen had "clearly said he was opposed to taxpayer-funded abortions" when he ran for office.

The House approved the pro-life amendment on an unrecorded voice vote.

Bredesen said after the bill was approved that he hadn't seen Dunn's amendment and declined to comment.

Dunn's amendment to the Omnibus bills says that: "No state funds shall be used to fund abortions." Dunn said he wants to prohibit state funds outside TennCare.