GOP Congress Threatens Overseas Family Planning

[niyad]

GOP Congress Threatens Overseas Family Planning


Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, is expected to propose legislation that would permanently impose the Mexico City Policy, which has been a political flashpoint for three decades. United Nations health programs are a target too.


(WOMENSENEWS)-- U.S. foreign aid to family planning clinics in developing countries could face trouble when committees of the GOP-controlled 114th Congress begin work this week. Funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides reproductive health services in 180 countries, may also be at risk.

Although the U.S. has supported international family planning programs since 1969, the amount and scope of the programs has varied, depending on which party controls Congress and the White House.
"The midterm elections increased the stark divide on reproductive rights between Democrats and Republicans in Congress," said Brian Dixon, senior vice president for media and government relations of Population Connection Action Fund, the Washington-based political arm of Population Connection. Formerly known as Zero Population Growth, the grassroots organization seeks to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by the earth's resources.

"The loss of seven Democratic senators who were staunch supporters of international family planning programs and the ascendancy of Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as majority leader ended the Senate firewall that had prevented House Republicans from eliminating valuable programs for six years of the Obama administration," Dixon said in a phone interview.

One target may be the $630 million in foreign aid for international family planning programs for fiscal year 2015. A Republican-controlled Congress is likely to slash these programs as Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, author of the GOP's plan to balance the federal budget by 2023, has proposed.



. . . . .

http://womensenews.org/story/reproductive-health/150109/gop-congress-threatens-overseas-family-planning

[CTyankee]

1. Yup. Expect an attack on Planned Parenthood very soon...

all reproductive rights up for grabs now...

[sakabatou]

2. Not surprised.

[blkmusclmachine]

3. The Republicans neverending War on Women Everywhere just ratched WAY UP!!!

[niyad]

4. . . .