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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is threatening a veto of legislation that would permanently ban federal funds for abortion.
In a statement on Monday, the administration said the measure would intrude on women's reproductive rights and prohibit the ability of individuals to spend their own money on insurance coverage for abortion under President Barack Obama's health care law.
The so-called Hyde amendment bans federal funds for abortion and has been included in every spending bill since 1976. But proponents of the current bill said it's necessary to make that prohibition permanent.
Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, sponsor of the bill, told the House Rules Committee on Monday that his measure ensures that the health care law conforms with the Hyde amendment.
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