Hatch: Dems soon to repeal Hyde amendment

Democrats are positioning themselves to defeat a long-time rule that prevents federal dollars from funding abortions, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Wednesday.

Every fiscal year, Congress must renew the Hyde Amendment, a provision first enacted in the 1970s following the Supreme Court's decision in the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case, he explained.

The senator's latest amendment to the Senate Finance Committee's healthcare bill would have permanently codified the Hyde rule into law. However, Hatch's proposal was defeated Wednesday on a close 10-13 vote -- an outcome, Hatch said, that indicated Democrats intended to "do away with the Hyde amendment if they can."

"The vast major of people in this country, including many who are pro-choice... do not think taxpayer dollars should be used to fund abortion, and we wanted to make that clear in this law," Hatch told Fox News. "[The amendment's defeat] is indicative of the fact they're trying to do away with it so the government has to pay for abortions in this country."

Democrats on the committee, however, are likely disagree with Hatch's interpretation of the vote. During debate, Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) stressed the amendment was moot because his healthcare proposal already "makes it clear that no federal funds will be used for abortion." He also called Hatch's effort "discriminating against women."