Political Quotes

“I join so many of my colleagues in opposing this Hyde amendment, which would impose a gag rule on critical international family planning funds. Mr. Chairman, I do not know what we are hearing, because the taxpayers' dollars have never been used or have not been used for paying for abortions, and people are talking about abortions. This is not about promoting abortions at all. The taxpayer money has never been used to perform or promote it. It has been mentioned that the law that explicitly forbids such activities began as an amendment by Senator Helms to the Foreign Operations bill in 1973, which is renewed annually. Therefore, there should be no anti-abortion concerns within international family planning. International family planning helps women, it helps families, it helps our national security. Access to international family planning services is one of the most effective means of reducing abortions, because it provides safe and effective contraceptive options allowing women to plan and space their children; and it promotes the health of both mother and child. Mr. Chairman, we need this access, so I hope people will vote against this Hyde amendment.”