Senate Votes to Repeal Global Gag Rule

[ismnotwasm]

Even if the waste of air in charge vetos this, it's still goood news.


"In a 53-41 vote yesterday, the Senate passed an amendment to the $34 billion fiscal year 2008 foreign aid bill that would overturn the Global Gag Rule. Also called the Mexico City policy, the Global Gag Rule prohibits the US from funding overseas organizations that support abortion in any way -- including direct services, counseling, or lobbying activities -- even if the groups use their own monies for such activity. The amendment, introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), would lift the policy, which was originally adopted by President Ronald Reagan, removed by President Bill Clinton, and reinstated by President George W. Bush on his first day in office"

http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=10505

[smokey nj]

1. This is good news. Is the Chimp threatening to veto?

That seems to be his MO with all positive legislation that actually passes.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Yes he is

He evidently loves this legislation, which goes hand in hand with my theory that he loves anything that increases the chances of human suffering.

[bliss_eternal]

5. You aren't wrong...

...he leans toward the sadistic.

[smokey nj]

6. The dumb, evil bastard isn't happy unless he's making somebody

miserable. :grr: :banghead:

[Katherine Brengle]

2. Good news.

[Control-Z]

4. If this were to make it through

the benefits to women (and families) worldwide could be dramatic.

The senate vote is encouraging even if * is sure to veto it.

[iverglas]

7. may one say

It's about fucking bleeding goddamned time.

Signing the global gag rule was in fact Bush's very first act in office. How beautiful and symbolic it would have been to make voting to overturn it the Democratic Congress's first act in office. Not just symbolic of the US finally giving a shit about women and the poor worldwide, but also symbolic of starting to tear down the rotten edifice that is the Bush administration.

A seemingly minor but not really minor correction to the article. The rule does not prohibit funding of organizations that "support abortion" in any way. It prohibits funding of organizations that MENTION THE WORD abortion in any way, or that refer clients to organizations that provide abortions. That is, funded organizations are not even permitted to answer questions from clients.

It has its own website:

http://www.globalgagrule.org/
The Global Gag Rule was reinstated by President George W. Bush on his first day in office in January 2001. Officially termed the Mexico City Policy, these restrictions mandate that no U.S. family planning assistance can be provided to foreign NGOs that use funding from any other source to: perform abortions in cases other than a threat to the woman’s life, rape or incest; provide counseling and referral for abortion; or lobby to make abortion legal or more available in their country.

Called the "gag" rule because it stifles free speech and public debate on abortion-related issues, the policy forces a cruel choice on foreign NGOs: accept U.S. assistance to provide essential health services – but with restrictions that may jeopardize the health of many patients – or reject the policy and lose vital U.S. funds, contraceptive supplies and technical assistance.

Our continuing research shows the gag rule is eroding family planning and reproductive health services in developing countries. There is no evidence that it has reduced the incidence of abortion globally. On the contrary, it impedes the very services that help women avoid unwanted pregnancy from the start.

http://www.globalgagrule.org/execsum.htm

... As the leading donor of family planning assistance to NGOs overseas, USAID supports technical assistance, training, contraceptives, including condoms, funding, and other resources needed to assure efficient and effective delivery of services to millions of couples. These NGOs form strong community ties, create innovative solutions, and build local capacity to respond not only to the demand for family planning but also to other critical health needs. They often work closely with public health systems in providing care to the poorest and most vulnerable groups. Yet, under the Global Gag Rule, funds are denied to foreign NGOs that choose to counsel their patients on a full range of reproductive health options.

The Global Gag Rule therefore forces a cruel choice: In starkest terms, foreign NGOs can either choose to accept USAID funds for provision of essential health services — but with restrictions which may jeopardize the health of many patients — or the NGOs can choose to reject the policy and lose vital U.S. support. For those who reject the gag rule, the price is not just monetary. They are unable to obtain donated USAID contraceptives and are forced to cut services and raise fees. In a number of countries, established referral networks of providers are collapsing as leading family planning NGOs downsize and struggle to cope with budget cuts and rapidly declining stocks of contraceptive supplies. ...