International Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress, January 26, 2009

摘要

Since 1965, the U.S. government has supported international population planning based on principles of volunteerism and informed choice that gives participants access to information on all methods of birth control. This policy has generated contentious debate for over two decades, resulting in frequent clarification and modification of U.S. international family planning programs. Given the divisive nature of this debate, U.S. funding of these programs will likely remain a point of contention during the 111th Congress. In 1984, controversy arose over U.S. population aid policy when the Ronald Reagan Administration introduced restrictions that became known as the Mexico City policy. The Mexico City policy denies U.S. funds to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planningeven if the activities are undertaken with non-U.S. funds. Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush also banned grants to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) due to evidence of coercive family planning practices in China, citing violations of the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which bans U.S. assistance to organizations that support or participate in the management of coercive family planning programs. President Bill Clinton resumed UNFPA funding and reversed the Mexico City policy in 1993. In 2001, however, President George W. Bush re-applied the Mexico City restrictions. The Bush Administration also suspended U.S. contributions to UNFPA from FY2002 to FY2008 following a State Department investigation of family planning programs in China. On January 23, 2009, President Barack Obama issued a presidential memorandum revoking the Mexico City policy. On December 26, 2007, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161), which states that not less than $461 million shall be made available for family planning and reproductive health. The Act also designates $40 million for UNFPA if it is determined eligible under the Kemp-Kasten amendment. On June 26, 2008, the Bush Administration announced that UNFPA was ineligible for FY2008 funding under Kemp- Kasten. The Bush Administrations FY2009 request for bilateral family planning and reproductive health activities totals $327.53 million. The Administration also requested $25 million for UNFPA funding if the organization is deemed eligible under the Kemp-Kasten amendment. The UNFPA funds would be appropriated under the Child Survival and Health Programs account. This report will be updated as events warrant.