[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         STRIKING THE GAG RULE

  (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a strong supporter 
of international family planning and in strong opposition to the 
antiwoman gag rule which is being debated before the Committee on 
International Relations right now.
  First and foremost, this debate is not about abortion; it is about 
women dying to the tune of over 600,000 a year. That is the equivalent 
of a jumbo jet crashing each day. And it is about saving women's lives.
  The fact remains that since 1973, no U.S. Federal funds can be used 
around the world for abortion. Let me be clear: the global gag rule is 
about restricting foreign nongovernmental organizations in the use of 
their own money. This language would be unconstitutional in our own 
country, and it is unconscionable that we are exporting it to some of 
the world's poorest countries where it affects some of the world's 
poorest women.
  The gag rule is enough to make me gag. It exports the worst of 
American internal politics. I urge a ``no'' vote in committee and a 
``yes'' vote for the amendment of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Lee).

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