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HHS axes Protect Life Rule, increases flow of taxpayer money to abortionists

Thursday, Oct 7, 2021

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ issuance Thursday of a final rule that reverses the Trump administration’s Protect Life Rule and allows Title X family planning funding to flow to organizations that provide elective abortion:

“The tax dollars of Americans should never be used to fund abortion or force medical professionals to violate their convictions by participating in ending innocent human life. By reversing the Protect Life Rule, President Biden and HHS have once again insisted on catering to the abortion industry at the expense of protecting women and babies. This new rule allows organizations like the nation’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, to fund their abortion activities through the taxpayer-funded Title X program. In the past, Planned Parenthood has covered up the sexual abuse of young girls and has been investigated for waste, abuse, and potential fraud. Because of these failures, it doesn’t deserve taxpayer dollars. We are disappointed to see this administration continue to make such brazen attempts to wipe out policies that support women and protect innocent life.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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ABOUT Denise Burke

Denise Burke serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where she is a member of the Center for Legislative Advocacy. In this role, her efforts are directed toward protecting life from conception to natural death and defending the conscience rights of health care professionals. Prior to joining ADF, Burke served as vice president of legal affairs for Americans United for Life. She began her career with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Air Force, both on active duty and in the reserve. Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, she served as an instructor at the USAF JAG School and on the editorial board of the Air Force Law Review. In response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Burke volunteered to serve again on active duty. In recognition of her service, the Air Force awarded her the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. A member of the state bar of Texas, Burke is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and multiple federal district and appellate courts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Maryland, followed by her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University.