Two key amendments — one to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortions overseas and another to steer AIDS money toward abstinence education — failed in the U.S. House today as legislators took up the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
One amendment was meant to protect the pro-life Mexico City policy — named after the location where President Reagan announced it. President Bush reinstated the policy upon taking office. It prohibits tax dollars from going to overseas groups that fund or promote abortion. The proposal failed 218-205.
"The cry of congressional liberals was, 'Make sure foreign abortion providers get American taxpayers’ money!' Well, today that’s what happened," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "This highlights how crucial it is for life advocates to make their voices heard on the Hill."
A key amendment on abstinence funding abroad also failed. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., would have protected the 33 percent spending directive for abstinence-until-marriage programs under PEPFAR, a five-year, $15 billion plan to address AIDS. The amendment failed, 223-201.
“Once again, liberals shirked hard evidence in favor of political correctness," Horne said. "It’s been proven that abstinence education works as a part of the ABC program (Abstain, Be faithful, use Condoms as a last resort) when the infection is in the generalized population. This change in PEPFAR could skyrocket infection rates.”
The entire appropriations bill was expected to come up for a vote later today.
A statement from the White House on Tuesday makes it clear how Bush will handle the bill: "If the President were presented a bill … that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, he would veto the bill."
During more than 90 minutes of debate, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., argued that the American people do not want their tax dollars funding abortion.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who co-sponsored the amendment that failed, said: "Abortion is violence against children. It is extreme child abuse. Now, as in previous years, some members of Congress want to export abortion. …
"This is the time to stand for the innocent … who can't stand for themselves."
