Is the GOP redefining rape?

A proposed new bill would bar federal funding for abortion except in cases of "forcible rape." What does that mean?

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act has more than 180 co-sponsors in the House but could face a presidential veto should it pass the Senate.
(Image credit: Getty)

A Republican bill seeking to cut federal funding for abortions has triggered a fight over women's rights, with activists accusing the GOP of trying to narrow the definition of rape in order to reduce the number of abortion cases in which coverage would be allowed. The bill would permanently extend the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federally funded health care programs from covering abortions with a few exceptions, including rape and incest cases. But under the new law, "rape" becomes "forcible rape." Is that an attempt to exclude certain types of sexual assault, such as statutory rape, or are the critics twisting the language to stir up opposition to the bill? (Watch a Russia Today discussion about the bill)

The GOP is trying to shut out some rape victims: "There's no way this change is accidental," says Sady Doyle in Salon. "And there's no way it's minor." This legislation would exclude adult victims of incest, women who were raped while drugged or unconscious, and survivors of statutory rape. In fact, "about 70 percent of rapes wouldn't fall under the 'forcible' designation," so there is no way to interpret this other than as a cruel attempt to deny victims care by denying that many of them were raped at all.

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