Dick Lugar: “Mr. President, when the Mexico City policy, which is our discussion today, was restored by President Bush in 2001 when…”

“Mr. President, when the Mexico City policy, which is our discussion today, was restored by President Bush in 2001 when he came into office, he stated once again the conviction that the U.S. taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions or for the advocacy, for those who actively promote abortions as a means of family planning. The fact that this President has taken this position, as have other Presidents before him, does not lessen his commitment or our commitment to strong international family planning programs. Indeed, President Bush's fiscal year 2004 budget requests $425 million for population assistance, the same funding level appropriated during fiscal year 2001, President Clinton's final year in office. President Bush has confirmed his commitment to maintaining these funding levels for population assistance because he knows one of the best ways to prevent abortion is by providing voluntary family planning services. That is a policy of our Government now. It is a policy that our President advocates for the future. We are all aware of the numerous attempts to reach compromise language that would satisfy all sides on this very important issue but no acceptable accommodation has been found to date. Perhaps in recognition of this state of affairs, the President has advised that any legislation that seeks to override the Mexico City language will be vetoed.”