Thread by @SallyAlbright

Y'all know what the hold up was on the corona relief bill, don't you?

The House version didn't have the Hyde Amendment and the Republicans wouldn't pass it and Trump wouldn't sign it without it and they overruled Mnuchin.

I'll give you a second to process this.

1/

I'm pretty irate myself.

But this what you might call "a teachable moment."

Not about reproductive health policy, about Capitol Hill.

2/

I am staunchly pro-choice. I do not like Hyde. I was a clinic escort in the 90's.

Stating this for the record. I got some bad press a while back for defending Nancy's position that so-called "pro-life" Democrats make the party stronger.

More info here:sallyal.ink/DemBest
3/

I came of age in the 90's, after GOP took over and ushered in the era of "family values"

Younger activist vilify Blue Dogs but we were damn grateful to have them. We needed them to keep hold onto their seats.

The opposite of a Blue Dog isn't a liberal. It's a Republican.

4/

The original Hyde Amendment was attached to HHS Appropriations in 1976 and it's been added to every bill that involved medical spending ever since.

It isn't something you can repeal. You have to strip it out of every bill, and you have to have the votes.

We don't.

5/

Think if it as a necessary evil that helps conflicted Americans to come to terms with abortion rights, funding for PP, and medicaid coverage for women's health.

Without it, most of the progress we've made with reproductive rights would not have been possible.

6/

Attaching Hyde gave Members talking points to defend their vote to their constituents.

So it's terrible policy that facilitated groundbreaking progress and empowered the Democrats when we needed every vote we had.

I know Purity Ponies won't get this, but the rest of you will
7/

Despite what Bernie tells his minions, policy is complicated.

Legislating is messy.

In a compromise, no one's supposed to be happy.

Abortion is #1 issue for a lot of us, but it's #1 issue for a lot of them too, and they've been in charge.

We don't have a magic wand.

8/

GOP spun this as "Nancy tried to sneak abortion funding into the corona bill and we caught her."

They said even though the bill had no abortion language, leaving Hyde out would set a precedent.

And it would have. Pretty brilliant, actually. And we almost got away with it.

9/

It would have been great to pull it off, but the religious crowd was on it before the ink was dry.

Some liberals argue we should use abortion as a purity test the way GOP does.

I hear a lot of "line in the sand" and "take a stand" when this comes up.

But...

10/

But in order to "take a stand" you have to be willing to shoot the hostage.

GOP is always willing. But Democrats can't.

Because hostage is usually something *we* care about, and something Republicans don't care about at all.

We have no leverage.

11/

Case in point, this bill.

When I first heard, I was so furious I upset my dog.

Playing purity politics at a time like this is unconscionable.

Democrats would never do that. And that's the point.

If GOP will hold up something this important, they'll do it with anything.

12/

Religious right has mastered the art of fearmongering.

Our side spins things our way too.

I have no problem with repro rights orgs messaging or fundraising on a "repeal of Hyde"

but if you're learning policy in the language of activism, you aren't getting the full picture.
13/

In no way am I arguing that we should keep Hyde.

I'm explaining why we still have it

and why getting rid of it isn't nearly as easy as you've been led to believe.

14/

I know some will say "it's worth it - shoot the hostage" or Members should willingly to sacrifice their seat.

But what if the hostage is kids in cages or gun safety or ACA or Dreamers?

And if we "take a stand" against Trump & McConnell, it won't change the outcome at all.

15/

I actually haven't seen anything about this since final passage, so we could all be surprised- and elated - if it isn't in the Conference report.

But If McCarthy were to cave on this, we'd hear the MAGA howls of rage echo to the moon and back, And Trump would veto it anyway.
16/

Trump & GOP Leaders won't cross the religious right.

Conservatives weaponize their base as effectively as Bernie weaponizes his.

Both are equally hateful and toxic.

Religious folks are a tad more polite- they understand politics & messaging whereas the Bros just do NOT.

17/

It's great that liberals are finally pushing back against Hyde.

It's huge that Democrats put "repealing Hyde" it in the platform

I was thrilled when Symone Sanders was able to help Joe Biden understand.

But we lost this round. Because we had to save the hostage.

18/

I'll never forget how I felt in 2011 hearing Obama say "“John, I will give you DC abortion"

Protests roiled the District for days. It sucks to be used as a bargaining chip

But he did it to save Planned Parenthood.

At a fundamental level we all understood it had to be done.
19/

I look forward to the day when Democrats have the power to overturn Hyde.

It's a Sisyphean task. GOP will keep adding it back. Rinse, repeat.

But that's how real progress is made - incrementally. One election, one bill, one vote at a time.

(I welcome your feedback.)

20/20

Here's the article on @Medium

I just published "Hostage to Hyde"

sallyal.ink/Hostage

You can read my blog and sign up for my mailing list here:

sallyalbright.com