Women In Congress Website

International Family Planning

By adhering to an oppressive "global gag rule" first instituted during the Reagan Administration, the Bush Administration continued to censor free speech and stifle open debate on international family planning. The policy also infringed on each woman's right to personal, private medical care. This global gag rule, sometimes referred to as the Mexico City Policy, prevents any U.S. funding for reproductive health services from going towards family planning organizations that provide abortions, even if they do so using non-U.S. funds. The global gag rule forces overseas health-care providers to agree not to use their own, non-U.S. funds to provide or counsel patients about abortion, or to take a public pro-choice position.

An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 State-Foreign Operations appropriation bill attempted to modify part of the Mexico City policy. I voted in support of the amendment, which would allow non-governmental organizations to receive U.S. donated contraceptives -- not funds -- for distribution to millions of people in need of these products. The amendment passed 223-201. The Senate version of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill repealed the policy entirely. However, when the Omnibus Appropriations bill passed, the changes had been stripped because of a veto threat from President Bush.

Please be assured that I will continue to vote to support international family planning.

The Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 1964)

In 2007, I signed on as a co-sponsor of this important legislation that would legally codify the reproductive rights recognized in Roe vs. Wade.

The Supreme Court decision to uphold the so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Ban" is a thinly-veiled effort to chip away at Roe vs. Wade. This crucial decision abandons Supreme Court precedent that has maintained that any law restricting abortion must have an exception for the health of the woman. The decision means that it is now illegal for a doctor to decide that this procedure is in the best interest of a patient. This fundamentally alters the precedent that has been in place since Roe vs. Wade.

This decision also shows the importance of elections. In 2000, Justice O'Connor was the deciding vote when the Supreme Court struck down an almost identical law. For this decision, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito -- nominated by the Bush Administration -- voted with the majority to uphold the ban. President Bush and his nominations to the Supreme Court have significantly changed the makeup of the Court. The issue of abortion is a polarizing one for Americans, but this decision is a setback for all Americans who value privacy.

H.R. 1964 has more than 100 cosponsors, but has not made it out of its subcommittee.

The Prevention First Act (H.R. 819)

I am a co-sponsor of this important legislation that would expand access to preventive health care services to help reduce unintended pregnancies, reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care. Specifically, the bill would provide funding for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). It would also prevent group health care plans from restricting benefits for contraceptives if the plan provides benefits for other prescription drugs. Furthermore, the Prevention First Act would also expand teenage pregnancy prevention programs and require that any information regarding contraception provided through federally funded education programs be medically accurate and include health benefits and failure rates.

H.R. 819 was referred to three different committees that have jurisdiction over the issue. Identical legislation (S. 21) has been introduced in the Senate. The proactive steps in this bill are in line with both parties' efforts to reduce abortion.

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