Legislative Update: Senate Appropriations Committee Acts to Release UNFPA Funds

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May 23, 2002 – The Senate Appropriations Committee reported out its version of the FY 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Bill yesterday afternoon, incorporating language included by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that is identical to the Kolbe/Lowey provision passed initially by the House Appropriations Committee. The Leahy language would require the president to release the $34 million included in the FY2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill by July 10 unless otherwise prohibited by law.

The report language for the Senate bill states: "The Committee has provided for the obligation and disbursement of funds previously appropriated in PL 107-115 for the UNFPA by not later than July 10, 2002 unless otherwise prohibited by law. The Committee notes that in PL 107-115 and the accompanying Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference, the Congress appropriated $34 million for the UNFPA in FY 2002. The Committee intends these funds to be obligated and disbursed expeditiously, absent proof that the UNFPA knowingly supports or participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization." (Section 601)

Further Senate action on the Supplemental Appropriations Bill is not expected until after Memorial Day, when the full Senate will take up the measure.

On the House side, work is continuing on the Supplemental and at this point two contradictory provisions -- the Kolbe and the Tiahrt provisions on UNFPA funding -- remain in the bill. Floor action in the House of Representatives is not expected until after the Memorial Day recess.

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