> At a Glance
> – President Trump told House Republicans to show “flexibility” on the 50-year-old Hyde Amendment
> – The ban on federal abortion funding has become a sticking point in health-subsidy negotiations
> – Some Democrats now demand Hyde’s removal in exchange for restoring expired ACA premium aid
> > Why it matters: Millions of ACA policyholders face higher premiums after expanded subsidies ended Dec. 31, 2025
President Trump opened the GOP’s mid-term retreat by urging conservatives to rethink their hard-line defense of the Hyde Amendment, the decades-old policy that blocks federal dollars from covering abortion services.
The President’s Pitch
Speaking to House Republicans, Trump said:
> “You have to be a little flexible. You gotta work something. You gotta use ingenuity.”
His comments surfaced more than an hour into a speech designed to chart strategy for protecting the party’s slim House majority. Trump framed direct health-care payments to consumers as the GOP’s winning issue, but only if lawmakers can strike a deal with Democrats who want Hyde restrictions lifted.
Capitol Hill Reaction
- House Republicans offered no visible response to the president’s plea.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune reaffirmed that any bill must keep the 50-year ban intact.
> “Those dollars aren’t being used to go against the practice that has been in place for the last 50 years,” Thune said.
Conservative Backlash
Anti-abortion groups warned that compromising on Hyde would deflate the GOP base ahead of November’s vote.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said:
> “Giving in to Democrat demands that our tax dollars are used to fund plans that cover abortion on demand until birth would be a massive betrayal.”
What the Hyde Amendment Does
| Aspect | Current Rule |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Federal programs like Medicaid |
| Allows funding | Only when pregnancy threatens life or results from rape/incest |
| First enacted | 1976, shortly after Roe v. Wade |
Congress has renewed Hyde language in most spending bills, treating it as a bipartisan budget tool until recent years. President Biden dropped his support for the amendment during the 2020 campaign, reflecting the Democratic Party’s leftward shift on abortion policy.
The Subsidy Expiration
Expanded Affordable Care Act premium assistance ended on Dec. 31, 2025. The GOP proposal would replace insurer subsidies with direct payments that consumers could spend on insurance or other health expenses. Trump argued that flexibility on Hyde could secure Democratic votes and restore aid.
> “Let the money go directly to the people,” he said, adding that flexibility could make health care a winning Republican issue.
Key Takeaways
- Trump asks Republicans to soften their stance on the Hyde Amendment
- Democratic votes may be needed to renew ACA premium subsidies
- Anti-abortion groups threaten electoral consequences if GOP yields
- The debate highlights shifting party positions on abortion funding
- ACA enrollees face steep premium hikes without new legislation
Whether Republicans heed Trump’s advice could determine both the fate of health subsidies and the intensity of conservative turnout this fall.
