Lois Capps: “I urge this House to reject the Smith amendment. Slashing our contribution to the United Nations Population Fund would…”

“I urge this House to reject the Smith amendment. Slashing our contribution to the United Nations Population Fund would sacrifice the health and safety of some of the poorest women and children around the world. This program provides critical maternal health, emergency assistance for refugees, reproduction education, prevention and treatment for HIV and AIDS, and critical care for infants and children. I saw with my own eyes recently in South Africa that this program is the only health care that many families receive. This Congress should know that each year we hold our funding hostage to the divisive politics we cost impoverished women and children their lives. Defeating this amendment is essential for child survival and AIDS prevention. Millions of orphans around the world are pleading with us.”