For Immediate Release:	July 17, 2008
For More Information:	Matt Dennis, Office of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, (202) 225-6506
Sponsor Organization:	Office of Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey
Bill Significantly Increases Family Planning and Ensures Funding for UNFPA
WASHINGTON – The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee today passed its Fiscal Year 2008 bill, including several initiatives promoting safe motherhood, family planning, and access to health care for mothers and children. “The United States has a moral obligation to help people around the world who lack access to critical reproductive health services like family planning and emergency obstetric care,” said Lowey. “I am proud that the Subcommittee approved increased investments in family planning and vital health services for women and families in the developing world. The State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill provides $600 million for family planning and reproductive health services, nearly doubling President Bush’s request of $327.5 million for these activities. This is an increase of $139 million from the Fiscal Year 2008 enacted level of $461 million. These funds include $60 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides critical reproductive health care services in more than 100 countries. The bill does not amend existing law regarding prohibitions on funding for abortion, and U.S. funds continue to be prohibited for use by UNFPA in China. Funding for UNFPA is strictly limited to the following activities: • Provision of supplies to ensure safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care; • Provision of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of disease; • Prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula; • Reestablishment of maternal health services in regions devastated by natural disasters and armed conflict; • Promotion of access to vital services, including water, food and health care, for vulnerable populations; and • Efforts to end harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage. Lowey expressed continuing concern about the Administration withholding funding approved by Congress for UNFPA in each of the last seven years despite the recommendations of a 2002 State Department investigation and assessment team, which found no evidence supporting its erroneous claim that that UNFPA knowingly supported or participated in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization in China. Lowey’s bill would ensure that UNFPA would receive U.S. funds for its programs outside of China regardless of similar future Administration attempts to withhold funding. The Subcommittee defeated an amendment to strip this decision by voice vote. “President Bush’s justification for withholding these funds does not hold water with his own State Department, let alone with the millions of women and children who need the vital care UNFPA provides,” said Lowey. “I will fight to protect these critical funds.” ###