House Members Urged to "Do the Right Thing" for the World's Poorest, Vote "Yes" for UNFPA
Washington DC - June 12, 2003The U.S. House of Representatives will soon have the opportunity to do the right thing and restore vital U.S. support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the humanitarian assistance organization widely credited with saving thousands of women's and children's lives every year. In a controversial move last year, the White House cancelled the $34 million U.S. contribution to UNFPA, depriving UNFPA of critically needed support for its global health programs. It is imperative that funding for UNFPA be restored.
"Now is the time for decisionmakers on both sides of the aisle to set aside politics," said Amy Coen, President of Population Action International. "It’s time for leaders to lead on this important international issue."
What’s at stake is whether the full House of Representatives will restore funding to UNFPA in the State Department authorization bill, and support language redefining the Kemp-Kasten provision of law. The bill authorizes $50 million each for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for UNFPA, and includes language clarifying the intent of the Kemp-Kasten amendment. As currently written, Kemp-Kasten prohibits U.S. assistance to organizations determined by the President to "support or participate in the management of a program of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization." Revised language would specify that no funding go to any organization that "directly supports or participates in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization."
"We hope members of Congress will think of the women of the world and vote ‘yes’ for UNFPA," said Terri Bartlett, Vice-President for Public Policy of Population Action International. "It’s time to do what’s right and support UNFPA — and to make the world a better place for everyone."
Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.
