Confusion has ensued after Hillary Clinton’s running mate Tim Kaine told reporters on Friday that he supports the Hyde Amendment just days after spokespersons said that Kaine stood behind Clinton’s goal to repeal it.
A spokesperson for Clinton stated this week that Kaine, a Roman Catholic who personally opposes abortion but believes women should have the “right to choose,” advised that he would support the repeal of the Hyde Amendment.
“He has said that he will stand with Secretary Clinton to defend a woman’s right to choose, to repeal the Hyde Amendment,” the unnamed spokesperson stated.
A spokesperson for Kaine confirmed the report days later.
“No funds authorized or appropriated by federal law, and none of the funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law, shall be expended for any abortion,” the 1976 law reads.
But on Friday, during an interview on CNN’s New Day with host Alisyn Camerota, Kaine said that he supports the Hyde Amendment.
“I have been for the Hyde Amendment. I haven’t changed my position on that,” he stated.
“I have not changed my position. Have not changed my position on that,” Kaine repeated.
NARAL President Ilyse Hogue soon released a statement expressing disappointment with his remarks.
“Senator Kaine’s statement earlier today that he opposes repealing the discriminatory Hyde amendment was deeply disappointing,” she said.
“As Tim Kaine has said, while he supports the Hyde Amendment, he has also made it clear that he is fully committed to Hillary Clinton’s policy agenda, which he understands includes repeal of Hyde,” Karen Finney, a spokeswoman for the Clinton campaign, told CNN. Continue reading
