Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe's (R-ME) amendment to the FY '08 foreign-aid spending bill would fully repeal 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.

"We applaud these senators' effort to improve health-care options for the world's poorest women," Keenan said.  "Family planning is basic medical care.  It continues to astound me that President Bush wants to deny services that help the world's poorest women prevent unintended pregnancy and protect themselves from disease.  It's time to end this hypocrisy."

In late June, the House passed a modest "contraceptive supplies" exemption to allow otherwise ineligible overseas health clinics to receive U.S.-donated condoms and contraceptives.  While this was a good first step, the Boxer-Snowe amendment goes even farther by repealing this dangerous policy in its entirety.    

"The global gag rule has had devastating effects on family-planning services overseas," Keenan said.  "As a consequence of the policy, overseas groups have closed health centers, cut staff, and raised fees.  The global gag rule has also cut off supplies of condoms in some areas and silenced human-rights organizations. NARAL Pro-Choice America has long opposed this indefensible policy, and continues to urge lawmakers to work toward its ultimate repeal."

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