Abortion funding limits may be at odds with GOP interest in tax benefits

Bloomberg reports that House Republican efforts to limit abortion funding "are colliding" with the GOP aversion to limiting tax benefits. Meanwhile, NPR takes a look at state abortion legislation and what may be motivating those who support these proposals.

Bloomberg: Abortion Foes In Congress Run Into Tax Obstacle in Attempt to Curb Funding
House Republicans' efforts to limit government funding for abortion are colliding with their emphasis on tax cuts, underscoring potential conflicts between the party's social and fiscal agendas. A Republican bill that would cut taxpayer funding for abortion aims to prevent women from using itemized medical deductions, certain tax-advantaged health care accounts or tax credits included in last year's health care law to pay for abortions or for health insurance plans that cover abortion. Under common Republican definitions, limiting a tax benefit is viewed as a tax increase — which is anathema to the House majority (Rubin, 3/16).

NPR: States' Abortion Legislation Questioned By Critics
State legislatures are considering a new wave of abortion restrictions this year. Some require longer waiting periods to get abortions. Others would direct doctors to show women ultrasounds of fetuses. But critics say new conservative lawmakers are pushing these bills to test the limits (Lohr, 3/16).