Barbara Kennelly: “I rise to oppose this conference report, and I do it with some pain, because I have always supported fully the men and…”

“I rise to oppose this conference report, and I do it with some pain, because I have always supported fully the men and women who work for the State Department and who represent us so well around the world. But no matter how emotionally one speaks or how strongly one feels about both sides of this question, the fact of the matter remains that we do not have to codify the Mexico City language. It is unnecessary, because we know for a fact and we know from statute that U.S. funds cannot be used for abortion. Second, if the President waives the Mexico City restrictions, there is the effect also that the bill would reduce the amount of money available for family planning. This is unacceptable because we all understand that family planning, and we agree, that family planning saves the lives of both mothers and children in developing countries. We do not think this should be the vehicle for reducing those funds. But I think the thing that bothers me most, and I think worst, about this conference report is it is such a sharp limit on debate and discussion of the issue before us that is in contention: Choice.”