Executive Order 13535 is an executive order announced by President Barack Obama on March 21, 2010, and signed on March 24, 2010. It reinforces a commitment to preservation of the Hyde Amendment's policy restricting federal funds for abortion within the context of recent health care legislation.Shear, Michael D. (March 24, 2010), , The Washington Post, Retrieved March 24, 2010"White House Defends Abortion-related Executive Order, Even as Obama Signs it" , Fox News, March 24, 2010, Retrieved March 24, 2010 The order was signed after an agreement with anti-abortion Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, who had said he and several other anti-abortion Democrats in the House of Representatives would not support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless the Bill's language prohibiting federal funding of abortions was strengthened."Obama issues executive order on abortion", UPI.com, March 21, 2010, Retrieved March 21, 2010Montgomery, Lori & Murray, Shailagh (March 21, 2010) , The Washington Post, Retrieved March 21, 2010
The executive order was condemned as ineffective by major anti-abortion organizations, including the Susan B. Anthony List,"Choice, Life Groups Slam Obama Order on Abortion Funding", Fox News, Mar. 21, 2010 the National Right to Life Committee, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Family Research Council,Rep. Randy Neugebauer: I yelled 'baby killer' during Rep. Bart Stupak's speech the American Family Association, Focus on the Family,Stupak: From Prolife Groups' Hero to Villain 'In a Nanosecond' and Americans United for Life,Pro-Life Leader Charmaine Yoest: Stupak Deal 'A Tragedy for America' among others. The organizations said executive orders can be rescinded at any time by any administration. They also said the fact that an executive order was needed proves that the health care law did fund abortion. The National Right to Life Committee said the executive order did not correct seven provisions in the law they identified as objectionable.
Pro-abortion rights groups also condemned the executive order, questioning Obama's commitment to the pro-abortion rights position. The National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood,Statement of Cecile Richards, President of PPFA, on House Passing Historic Health Care Reform Bill NARAL Pro-Choice America,NOW, NARAL displeased with Obama-Stupak deal and EMILY's ListIt's back: Abortion debate reignites were among pro-abortion rights groups opposing the executive order.
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