WASHINGTON. - A Homeland Security spending bill bans the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from providing abortions to detainees.
The bill, which was passed Thursday night, was championed by the Republican Party and was approved in the House on a 234-182 vote.
The mandate essentially makes it unlawful for the ICE to use agency funding to provide abortions for any of its illegal immigrant detainees, excluding cases of rape, incest or medical requirements (ex: if mother's life is in danger). The provision was proposed by Republican representative Robert Aderholt, as a part of the $46 billion Homeland Security spending bill.
While the bill passed in the republican led-House, it will have a tough time being passed in the democrat-led Senate. There is also some talk about the Obama administration vetoing the bill, according to the Hill.
ICE Spokeswoman, Barbara Gonzalez told CBS News that the agency had not paid for any abortions since 2003.
The current law of the ICE permits abortion for illegal immigrant detainees only in the case of rape, incest or medical necessity, these restrictions are the same as that of the Justice Department.
This is the third 2013 spending bill passed by the House this year, according to the Hill. The DHS bill is said to cut department spending in 2013 by 1 percent, as reported by the Hill.
