Jim Ryun: “today as we consider a bill to authorize funding for foreign relations, I find it puzzling that some of my colleagues…”

“today as we consider a bill to authorize funding for foreign relations, I find it puzzling that some of my colleagues would wish to include language to repeal President Bush's Mexico City policy. The issue of abortion as a method of family planning is one of the most divisive and controversial that we face as a Nation. Why should we be thrust into that debate in other countries? President Bush was right to remove the United States from promoting abortions in developing nations. After all, abortion is legal only in a fraction of these countries. Those who want American taxpayers to fund abortions overseas should consider the destructive impression that it gives others about the United States. As a Nation, the image we promote to the rest of the world should be one of life, health, and hope. The Mexico City policy allows the U.S. to support overseas family planning programs without tying those dollars to abortion. I urge my colleagues to support President Bush's Mexico City policy.”