Summary: This bill would provide support to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, to carry out specific activities to save women's lives, limit the incidence of abortion and maternal mortality associated with unsafe abortion, promote universal access to safe and reliable family planning, and assist women, children, and men in developing countries to live better lives.
What You Should Know: Despite Congress annually allocating resources to the UNFPA since 1969, the Bush Administration has withheld funds totaling $161 million since 2002. Many have been critical of the administration for withholding support for the UNFPA, and effectively undermining the leadership role of United States in improving international family planning and maternal health, as well as efforts to promote education and prevent gender-based violence. UNFPA works in 140 countries -- more than USAID's bilateral family planning programs. It is estimated that the total U.S. funds withheld from the UNFPA could have prevented 135,000 maternal deaths and allow 60 million to delay their first or next pregnancy.
Primary Sponsor(s): Rep Joe Crowley (D-NY)
Introduction date: 6/7/2007
Latest Major Action: 6/7/2007 Referred to House committee on Foreign Affairs.
