The Hyde Amendment is one of the most important pieces of federal anti-choice legislation. It removed federal funding for abortion services. It was passed by both houses of Congress in 1976, when they were both controlled by Democrats.  Although the President who signed it into law was Gerald Ford, a Republican, his decision to do so was largely in response to pressure from Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter who supported the measure and would have made political hay out of it had Ford vetoed the measure.

In short, the Democratic commitment to choice has faltered in the past, and it could falter in the future.  The Senate Minority Leader is anti-choice.  Dems are pushing for anti-choice candidates in blue states.  And Democrats talk very publicly about adopting more conservative positions on issues like reproductive freedom. Then, at the drop of a hat, they attack groups like NARAL.

Moreover, this issue is not simply about preserving rights,  when, in practice, those rights are becoming harder and harder for women -- especially low-income women -- to excercise.  We need federal policies that positively increase access to contraception and, yes, abortion services. And, unfortunately, the Democrats simply cannot be trusted to do this without a lot of outside pressure from groups like NARAL. More power to them!