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Americans for UNFPA Legislative Update

December 2007 - FY 2008 Omnibus Passes in House and Senate

In a 253-154 vote on December 17th , the House passed the FY 2008 Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 2764) that would provide a $40 million U.S. contribution to UNPFA, the United Nations Population Fund. The Foreign Operations portion of the FY 2008 omnibus spending bill includes a $6 million increase from FY 2007 to support UNFPA’s efforts to provide women’s health care and promote the rights of women around the world. On December 19th, the Senate followed suit and the bill was sent to the President to be signed.

For the last six years the President has defunded UNFPA with no concrete explanation. New language passed today holds the President accountable for his actions and calls for written documentation with evidence of grounds for defunding of UNFPA.  

 “On behalf of women everywhere, I express our thanks to members of the Appropriation Committees and the members of Congress who voted in support of UNFPA funding,” says Anika Rahman, President, Americans for UNFPA “I am hopeful that the President will listen to the views of citizens and Congress and provide UNFPA with the allocated funds.

“The reality is that this small victory is entrenched in an uphill battle,” says Ms. Rahman. “The House and Senate voted favorably on UNFPA, but from here, the fate of U.S. funding to UNFPA is in the hands of our President.” 

 The omnibus includes language requiring the President to articulate his reasons for defunding in writing within six months of enactment of the bill and the decision must be accompanied by a comprehensive analysis and the evidence used in making the decision.   

Last spring, the President threatened to veto the entire foreign operations bill because of the new clause requiring written documentation if he chooses to withhold funds from UNFPA.