House Committee Supports Loosening Abortion Policy

By Doug Carlson - Jun 12, 2007 - comment

A longstanding policy that protects the unborn may soon disappear.

An appropriations bill that includes new provisions cleared a House subcommittee last week, moving the bill one step closer to passage.

The major policy in question, known as the Mexico City policy, mandates that international family planning services receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars must agree not to perform or promote abortions. In 1984, President Reagan birthed the Mexico City policy, which was later struck down by President Clinton before President Bush reinstated it by executive order in 2001. Congress has reauthorized it each succeeding year in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, one of 12 annual appropriations bills.

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee, led efforts June 5 to weaken the policy, a move that would allow U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund international family planning services as long as they direct an undetermined amount to promote contraception, though most funds could be used to promote or perform abortions. The full House Appropriations Committee could vote on the legislation this week before it moves to the House floor.

Consequently, President Bush soon could find himself weighing the possibility of another veto if the bill reaches his desk without assurance that unborn children will be protected, not killed, internationally under U.S. funds. Recent statements by the president, however, indicate he is poised to stop such a shift in policy. In May, he sent Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) a letter reiterating his firm pro-life position, vowing, “I will veto any legislation that weakens current federal policies and laws on abortion or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.”

If you agree that taxpayer dollars should not be granted to international family organizations that advocate or provide abortions, please tell your congressman to oppose the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill if it weakens the Mexico City policy.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Life, Abortion, Citizenship, Legislation, National, Science, Bioethics

Post a Comment




Notify me of follow-up comments?

Before You Submit Your Comment (below), Read This:

Thank you for your interest in the ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC).

Comments are moderated to preserve the family-oriented nature of this website and in an attempt to avoid comment spam. We welcome opposing viewpoints, and we will not turn comments away as long as your views are presented with respect to everyone.

Your comments will not appear immediately and are subject to editing or deletion. We will make every attempt to check new comments in a timely manner, though there will likely be delays on the weekends and around holidays.

Please follow the these guidelines to insure your comments will be posted:

  1. Use a real name, at least a real first name. We find folks are less-rude online when not hiding behind a screen-name.
  2. Name-calling and vulgar-language will not be tolerated. Zero-tolerance is our policy. We will not spend time editing profanity. If it contains foul language, your post will be deleted. Oh, and we decide what is and what is not vulgar.
  3. Comments must be on topic. General comments (compliments, complaints, and otherwise) are best delivered here or expressed on your own personal Web site.
  4. And please, do not type in ALL CAPS. It looks like you're screaming at people.

Additionally, within Baptist polity, please recognize that many issues and decisions are addressed at a local church level. SBC denominational (national) offices have no control and desire no control over the activities of a local church. This entity is not responsible for overseeing and insuring the ethical behavior of Southern Baptist pastors or church members. If your concern involves a legal civil or criminal matter, we suggest you contact the proper local officials.

Issues involving pastoral staff or other church members, local Baptist associations or state Baptist conventions are local issues. Therefore the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission cannot and should not address such issues. While we regret we are unable to assist you, we encourage you to seek a biblical resolution of the issue at the local church level. If your question or submission pertains to a matter covered in this text, it is likely we will not acknowledge your submission.

Other than that, we welcome you and hope to see thoughtful discussions at ERLC.com