[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 87 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2010 AND 2011

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                               speech of

                           HON. STEVE SCALISE

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2410) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the 
     Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the 
     Foreign Service, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Chair, last night, the House of Representatives 
passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Unfortunately, this 
bill opens a door that will jeopardize one of the fundamental 
principles that our country was founded upon: the right to life.
  I am disturbed that the liberals in Congress want to allow taxpayer 
dollars to be spent on the promotion of abortion in foreign countries 
through the creation of the ``Office of Global Women's Issues.'' 
Secretary Clinton has acknowledged that this office will be used as a 
means to promote reproductive rights of women. She also testified 
before Congress that she believes that reproductive rights include 
abortion. I find it troubling that Secretary Clinton is forcing a pro 
abortion agenda on foreign nations, including countries with pro life 
laws. This pro abortion agenda by the State Department contradicts 
President Obama's statements that he wants to work toward reducing the 
number of abortions that are performed.
  I applaud Congressman Chris Smith for offering an amendment that 
would have explicitly prohibited this Office from participating in 
abortion activity. His amendment would have also promoted maternal 
health, women's empowerment, and educational opportunities for women. 
While I supported his amendment, unfortunately it was rejected. If we 
establish this office, we should set guidelines that promote a culture 
of life, not a culture of abortion.
  Secretary Clinton clearly expressed that she intends to promote and 
provide abortion through the Office of Global Women's Issues when she 
said: ``We happen to think that family planning is an important part of 
women's health and reproductive health includes access to abortion . . 
.'' and also that ``we are now an administration that will protect the 
rights of women, including their rights to reproductive health care.''
  Unborn lives are the most defenseless lives, and it is our job to 
stand up and protect them. Under no circumstances should Americans be 
forced to fund abortions, either domestically or abroad.

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