    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 31, 1997]
    [Pages 101-102]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Funding for International Family Planning
    January 31, 1997

        In the next few weeks, Congress will face an important vote about
    the United States' support for voluntary family planning in developing
    countries.
        The funds to continue our support have already been approved, as
    part of our Fiscal Year '97 budget. At issue is whether the money will
    be released on March 1, or whether it will be further delayed by 4
    months, until July.
        It is my determination that a delay will cause serious,
    irreversible, and avoidable harm. In the balance are the lives and well-
    being of many thousands of women and children and American credibility
    as the leader in family planning programs around the world.
        Opponents of this funding have tried to mischaracterize this
    upcoming vote and the work of United States Agency for International
    Development in family planning. So, let me be clear: The United States
    provides family planning support where it is wanted and needed. We are
    prohibited by law from ever funding abortion--and we abide faithfully by
    that law. Indeed, the work we have funded in developing countries has
    been supportive of families, helping them to flourish. It has improved
    women's health and women's station in life. It has allowed generations
    of children to grow and be educated in safer and healthier environments.
    It has been instrumental in helping to prevent the spread of disease,
    including AIDS. And, make no mistake: It has prevented untold numbers of
    abortions and maternal deaths. This much is clear: In preventing
    abortions, maternal and child deaths, family planning has been proven
    effective.
        If we delay support for family planning by even 4 months, denying
    safe and effective contraception to couples who depend on these
    programs, we will see a rise in unintended pregnancies and maternal
    deaths and a tragic recourse to unsafe and unsanitary methods to
    terminate those pregnancies.
        I want to emphasize this vote should have nothing to do with
    partisan politics. In fact, right now, a bipartisan group of legislators
    in the House and the Senate are hard at work to pass this bill for the
    timely release of funds. And for a generation, through administrations
    led by both parties, the United States has led the world in family
    planning programs. Studies show that our efforts, as part of an
    international strategy, have prevented more than 500 million unintended
    pregnancies.
        Rapid population growth undermines economic and social development
    in poor countries. With our support for family planning, the scarce
    resources in developing countries--from infrastructure and environment
    to nutrition and education--can be better used to allow progress for
    their people.
        Maintaining and building on this progress depends on our being
    consistent in our actions and adhering to our values.
        Cooperative international efforts to address rapid population growth
    serve American foreign

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    policy interests in protecting the Earth's environment, promoting human
    rights, and improving basic standards of health. It enhances the social,
    economic, and political status of women. It ensures global economic
    progress and strong markets for United States exports. It encourages
    international stability and it reduces pressures that lead to refugee
    flows and migration.
        I appeal to the Members of Congress to examine the consequences of a
    delay, to weigh those against the benefits of fulfilling an urgent and
    continuing American commitment, and to vote for the March 1, 1997,
    unconditional release of these voluntary international family planning
    funds.
        If Congress fails to take this simple action, we risk a cost to
    humanity that we will bear well into the next century.
        Surely, we agree that we must do all we can to prevent unintended
    pregnancies and abortions. With passage of this bill, we can do that.
    The decision is now in the hands of the Congress.