Carnahan Introduces International Family Planning Bill
MEDIA ADVISORY Congressman Russ Carnahan Missouri - Third District FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Shannon O'Brien, (202) 225-2671 Thursday, May 17, 2007 Carnahan Introduces International Family Planning Bill (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Today, Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO-3) introduced the Ensuring Access to Contraceptives Act of 2007, legislation to allow for more comprehensive international family planning. The bill has been cosponsored by both Democratic and Republican members. Currently, the Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, limits access to contraceptives by prohibiting the United States from providing family planning assistance to certain foreign non-governmental organization. "As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I recognize that the Global Gag Rule makes it difficult if not impossible for people in developing countries to access contraceptives," Carnahan said. "This is unacceptable, as contraceptive use not only reduces unintended pregnancies, but improves the health of women and children and curbs the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS." Carnahan's bill carves out a targeted exemption from the Global Gag Rule to allow the U.S. to provide contraceptives in developing countries. The bill will help reduce incidents of maternal and child mortality, which is often caused by women having multiple children without sufficient time between each birth, and would also reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions worldwide. In order to meet the growing need for supplies, the legislation also doubles the amount of funding USAID is authorized to spend on contraceptives and condoms from $75 million today to $150 million annually.
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