Jon Kyl: “this week, the Senate will have the opportunity to vote on two measures related to international family planning. One…”

“this week, the Senate will have the opportunity to vote on two measures related to international family planning. One, House Joint Resolution 36, which is supported by the Clinton administration, would release population control funds on March 1, instead of July 1. The funding could not be meted out any faster than 8 percent of the total appropriated for fiscal year 1997 per month--a limitation recommended by the President's Chief of Staff last year. But the funds could be made available to groups that provide abortions or lobby in support of more liberal abortion policies abroad. The alternative measure--the so-called Smith-Oberstar bill, H.R. 581--would provide for the immediate release of all fiscal year 1997 population control funds, subject to conditions that would preclude their use for abortion-related activities. In other words, Smith-Oberstar would ensure that the funds are used for what we all say is intended here--family planning, not abortion.”