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News From Capitol Hill:
The Crowley Amendment seeks to accomplish two things. First, it aims to provide $50 million per year for UNFPA for the next two years. Secondly, it seeks to close the legislative loophole that enabled the Bush Administration to cut all U.S. support for UNFPA in 2002. The current Kemp-Kasten provision prohibits U.S. funding for an organization that "participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization." The Administration has used the Kemp-Kasten provision to cut off funding for UNFPA based on its efforts in China to convince the Chinese government to end coercive practices. No UNFPA programs have ever supported coercive family planning. The Crowley amendment clarifies the Kemp-Kasten language by prohibiting U.S. funds from going to UNFPA only if it 'directly supports or participates in coercive abortion or sterilization.'
Planning for the larger battle ahead, on June 4, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D- TX) and Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) kicked off a campaign to ensure that 218 Representatives will support the Crowley amendment when it reaches the House floor. To win, 218 votes are needed. The State Department Authorization Bill is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives before the July 4 recess.
"I am pleased to be here today with such incredible company to discuss something of supreme importance-funding for UNFPA," said Congressman Crowley. "Funding for UNFPA means increased access to reproductive health services, reduced maternal mortality, emergency assistance in refugee situations, and prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. This issue should not be controversial. My provision would mean real funding that could actually be released to the programs and people that need it. My provision would mean hope for women, children, and families around the world." But some in Congress seek to deny that hope. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) has vowed to renew his fight against Representative Crowely's new Kemp-Kasten language on the House floor. Now is the time for us to take a stand and ensure that women around the world have access to life saving family planning services. Find out how you can take action!
Back to Spring 2003 Population Report
Photos courtesy of UNFPA and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
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International family planning advocates scored a win in May when the House
International Relations Committee opened the way for restoration of funding
to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Congressman Joseph Crowley
(D-NY) introduced an amendment to restore U.S. support for UNFPA to the State
Department Reauthorization Bill that passed by a vote of 23-22.
As Congressman Crowley stated, "It is a disgrace that the Bush Administration
has held UNFPA funding back. By withholding our contribution to UNFPA, we send
a strong message to women in the developing world that we choose not to help."