Pro-Choice Senators Score Victory, Repeal Global Gag Rule

Washington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, tonight praised senators for voting to repeal the dangerous and divisive global gag rule.  The vote came on an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 foreign-aid bill, authored by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).  The amendment passed with a vote of 53 – 41. 

"Pro-choice Americans applaud the senators who stood up for improving health care for the world's poorest women," Keenan said.  "American voters know where their senators stand on a policy that has forced groups to close health centers, cut staff, and raise fees for health services.  NARAL Pro-Choice America has long opposed this indefensible policy, and will continue to work with congressional leaders to pressure President Bush to drop his threat to veto a bill that includes a repeal of this unconscionable policy."

The Boxer-Snowe amendment fully repeals a policy that bans overseas health clinics from receiving U.S. family-planning aid if they use their own funds to provide legal abortion services, give referrals, or even take a public pro-choice position. (U.S. funds do not pay for abortion-related services).  In anticipation of the vote, NARAL Pro-Choice America issued an alert to its member activists, asking them to contact their senators and urge them to vote for the Boxer-Snowe amendment. In less than 24 hours, more than 30,000 member activists took action.

In a separate action, Keenan expressed dismay that the Senate voted to approve Sen. Sam Brownback's (R-KS) amendment allowing President Bush to cancel funding for the U.N. family-planning program for the sixth year in a row. 

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032