[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 32 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1780-S1781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING ON 
                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today, I speak in honor of 
International Women's Day, which was last Friday, March 8, on an issue 
of tremendous importance to women and families around the world--U.S. 
funding for international family planning programs.
  The United States has traditionally been a leader in international 
family planning assistance, and has had unrivaled influence worldwide 
in setting standards for these programs. An

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estimated 50 million families around the globe use family planning as a 
direct result of U.S. population assistance programs.
  Unfortunately, passage of the continuing resolution on January 26 
came at a terrible price to U.S. population assistance programs. Time 
and time again during consideration of the foreign operations 
appropriations bill, the Senate resisted the efforts of the House to 
restore the Mexico City policy and to impose restrictions on funding 
for United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA]. Finally, opponents to 
family planning in the House unveiled a new, ugly strategy--slashing 
population assistance in the continuing resolution [CR]. Tragically, 
the need to avoid another Government shutdown led many Members to vote 
for the CR and accept what was understood to be an extremely painful 
funding cut. It was only later that the truly insidious nature of this 
provision became apparent, when it became known that this provision 
would simply devastate--if not obliterate--U.S.-funded international 
family planning programs.
  Under the terms of the CR, none of the funds appropriated for 
international family planning can be spent until July 1. After this 
date, funding may be provided at 65 percent of the fiscal year 1995 
level, appropriated on a monthly basis of 6.7 percent for 15 months. As 
a result, U.S. population assistance expenditures could drop from $547 
million last year, to only $72 million during fiscal year 1996 This 
means a loss of revenue to the program of $475 million.
  The Alan Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood, and other 
population groups predict that as a result of these cuts, at a minimum, 
seven million couples in developing countries who would have used 
modern contraceptives will be left without access to family planning. 
Four million more women will experience unintended pregnancies. We can 
also expect 1.9 million more unplanned births, often to families living 
in terrible poverty and who cannot afford another child; 1.6 million 
more abortions and countless miscarriages; 8,000 more women dying in 
pregnancy and childbirth, including those from unsafe abortions; and 
134,000 infant deaths.
  It appears that supporters of these funding cuts are unaware that 
current law prohibits the use of any U.S. funds for abortion-related 
activities. This is not about encouraging abortion. It is about 
preventing unwanted pregnancies and preventing abortions. It is about 
helping women to space their children, so that they and their children 
are healthier, because children born within 2 years of their mother's 
last birth are twice as likely to die in infancy than those born after 
a longer interval. It is about families being able to support 
themselves and emerge from terrible poverty. It is about preventing 
maternal and infant death. It is an issue that should unite Members on 
both sides of the abortion debate.
  Because of the CR, organizations that provide family planning 
services with U.S. funds are already determining which of their 
programs will have to be cut or eliminated. For example, a local 
affiliate of international planned parenthood in Brazil estimates that 
250,000 couples who rely on its services will lose access to family 
planning and related health care. In Peru, a country that is among the 
poorest in Latin America and where 90 percent of women surveyed say 
they want to prevent or delay another pregnancy, more than 200,000 
couples will lose services. Families in these extremely poor countries 
cannot afford to lose vital U.S. family planning assistance.
  As a conferee for the State Department reauthorization bill, I worked 
hard to prevent the inclusion of House language reinstating the Mexico 
City policy and restrictions on UNFPA funding. Thankfully, we prevailed 
and the House capitulated on this front. Now it is time to take this 
important battle to take the next step and undue the harm caused by the 
House appropriators.
  I am pleased to say that my distinguished colleague from Oregon, 
Senator Hatfield, who has been such a champion in fighting for 
international family planning throughout his career, included language 
in the omnibus appropriations bill which would restore funding for U.S. 
population assistance. The Hatfield provision would nullify the funding 
cuts in the CR if the President certifies that they will lead to a 
significant increase in abortions. I applaud Senator Hatfield for his 
outstanding leadership on the Appropriations Committee and for his 
dedication to this very important issue.
  The United States has been a model nation on international family 
planning issues, and other countries look to our example. The 
implications of the cuts to U.S. aid contained in the CR are far 
broader than one might think. If other countries follow our lead, the 
impact will be devastating to the health of women and families of 
developing nations.
  So, in honor of International Women's Day, I urge my colleagues to 
support the restoration of funding for international family planning. 
Hanging in the balance are the lives, the health, and the economic 
survival of women, children, and families throughout the world.

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