[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE ENSURING ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES ACT

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
international family planning.
  In the developing world today, contraceptive supplies are often 
unavailable, placing the health and well-being of millions of people at 
risk.
  Currently, the global gag rule limits access to contraceptives by 
prohibiting the U.S. to giving family planning aid to certain foreign 
nongovernmental organizations. That's why I have introduced the 
bipartisan Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2007 with my 
colleague, Representative Chris Shays.
  Our bill carves out a specific exception to allow the U.S. to provide 
contraceptives to developing countries. In addition, this bill will 
double the amount of funding USAID is authorized to spend on these 
programs.
  I urge my colleagues to join us as cosponsors. This bill will help 
prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce incidents of maternal and child 
mortality, improve the health of women, and prevent the transmission of 
sexually transmitted infections.

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