September 30, 2026
“Common sense would tell you that you get more of what you pay for, which is why the Hyde Amendment’s protections for LIFE are achieved by cutting off taxpayer dollars from funding death by abortion. We know that nearly 2.7 million Americans have been saved, all people who had a birthday because of a pro-life law,” said Students for Life’s Kristan Hawkins. “Rep. Henry Hyde led both Democrats and Republicans to agree to block most monies from abortion. And while there is so much more to do, millions of babies were born because of his leadership. That’s a legacy anyone would be proud to call their own. We hope this 50-year mark will serve as a reminder of why we’re fighting: to make abortion unavailable, unthinkable, and unfunded by our tax dollars.”
For interviews, contact [email protected].
WASHINGTON, D.C. (09-30-2026) – Students for Life of America (SFLA) and Students for Life Action (SFLAction) President Kristan Hawkins said that pro-life Americans are celebrating the 50th birthday of the Hyde Amendment by rejoicing in the millions of Americans who have had a birthday because of Rep. Henry Hyde’s leadership. Enacted in 1976, the Hyde Amendment prevents taxpayer money from federally funding abortion through Medicaid, government-supported healthcare. This historic amendment bill has saved millions of Americans from the cruel hands of the abortion industry — because their business is death for profit.
Hawkins noted: “We are celebrating 50 years of keeping Hyde alive and at work despite constant attacks on the amendment and efforts to repeal it. But even more, we celebrate the people who have joined us because of the willingness of so many to say no to greedy abortionists who want more money, more death, and more empty arms as families lose children of infinite worth and value.”
READ MORE HERE FROM DR. MICHAEL NEW: Hyde Turns 50: Analyzing the Impact of the Hyde Amendment, with 2026 Addendum
Rep. Hyde inspired all who knew him, and as National Review reported, he kept his eye on the great goal of welcoming children into this world. They note:
When the time comes as it surely will, when we face that awesome moment, the final judgement, I’ve often thought, as Fulton Sheen wrote, that it is a terrible moment of loneliness. You have no advocates, you are there alone standing before God, and a terror will rip through your soul like nothing you can imagine. But I really think that those in the pro-life movement will not be alone. I think there will be a chorus of voices that have never been heard in this world but are heard beautifully and clearly in the next world, and they will plead for everyone who has been in this movement. They will say to God, “Spare him because he loved us,” and God will look at you and say not “Did you succeed?” but “Did you try?”
But the Hyde Amendment — which still has exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother — is not the end of our fight. More must be done to protect all preborn children from the violence of abortion. Currently, 21 states fund abortion with state tax dollars, alongside insurance plans covering the deaths of preborn children across the country.
Students for Life has been a leader in calling for funds to be cut to abortion vendors in healthcare through the budget process, as well as total defunding of Planned Parenthood through federal debarment, a review process of the many allegations against the nation’s number one abortion vendor.
SFLAction’s own Savanna Deretich spoke at the Americans United for Life’s “Hyde at 50” rally today on the Capitol Lawn at 9:30 AM ET alongside former Vice President Mike Pence, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), and more to celebrate the preservation of this important amendment while inspiring the pro-life movement to stay strong and vigilant in the face of an ever-growing pro-abortion threat.
Students for Life’s Kristan Hawkins has led this fight to defund Planned Parenthood and Big Abortion for the past 20 years; her journey was recently highlighted in a profile and mini documentary by Mother Jones.
WATCH SAVANNA SPEAK AT THE “HYDE AT 50” RALLY HERE.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOTHER JONES PROFILE ON KRISTAN HERE.
For information or interviews, please email [email protected].
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The Pro-Life Generation (PLG) is an umbrella organization encompassing the most-cutting edge engagement opportunities for a Vote Pro-Life First Community. PLG includes Students for Life Action (SFLAction), a 501c4, along with its 501c3 sister organization, Students for Life of America (SFLA), that together make up the nation’s largest, pro-life youth organization, managing a grassroots political and policy operation engaging Americans of all ages but with a special emphasis on the largest segment of voters — the Youth Vote. Headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA, PLG/SFLA/SFLAction serves more than 1,400 groups on middle, high school, college, medical, and law school campuses in all 50 states. Our team has more conversations with this generation targeted by the abortion lobby than any other pro-life operation in the world, each week reaching more than 4 million across social media platforms and averaging 1.3 million video views. In addition to SFLA/SFLAction, PLG leads multiple initiatives to lead and serve the future of the pro-life movement including the Campaign for Abortion Free Cities, Standing With You, and the Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement . Over nearly 20 years, PLG CEO Kristan Hawkins has grown the operation into a nearly $20M organization, now preparing for an abortion-free America.