For Immediate Release:	September 4, 2003
For More Information:	Brian Dixon, Population Connection, bdixon@populationconnection.org, (202) 745-3152
Sponsor Organization:	Population Connection
Statement by Brian Dixon, Director of Government Relations, Population Connection
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- The following is a statement of Population Connection Director of Government Relations Brian Dixon: During consideration of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriation bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee today stood up in defense of women, children and families throughout the developing world. Population Connection applauds their decision. The Bush administration, over the Labor Day weekend, tried to quietly broaden the application of the odious Global Gag Rule policy. The existing policy has already resulted in the loss of funds and supplies to some of the most effective women's health are providers in Africa and Asia. The new policy will only magnify the serious health threats faced by women and children. More than half a million women die every year from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Almost 4 million infant deaths every year are the result in inadequate maternal health care. And last week, the administration decided to end funding to a successful consortium providing reproductive health care to refugee women. The Bush administration has taken every opportunity to undermine contraceptive availability The Committee action to bar implementation of the new administration policy today follows the decision of the full Senate earlier this summer to repeal the existing gag rule by a strong 53-43 vote.