Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) have introduced the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act, a bill aimed at ensuring that foreign aid does not fund or promote abortions overseas. The senators are determined that no taxpayer dollars should be used for this purpose.

Dr. Rand Paul emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "No taxpayer dollar should be used to fund abortion overseas. This bill is a step toward reining in foreign spending while also protecting life." Senator Mike Lee echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the dignity and worth of every human life, born and unborn. He stated, "The lives of both an unborn baby and her mother matter; and healthcare should heal, protect, and preserve both their lives."

This legislation builds upon the Mexico City Policy, first instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The policy prohibits the availability of family planning foreign assistance funds to organizations that provide or promote abortions or advocate for changing abortion laws in foreign countries. Over the years, the policy has been rescinded and reinstated with changing administrations.

Under the Trump Administration, the policy was rebranded as the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy. It was expanded to apply to all global health assistance, foreign nonprofits, and NGOs. The Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act seeks to permanently codify an expanded version of the PLGHA policy into law, encompassing all assistance provided to foreign or domestic nonprofits, NGOs, and multilateral organizations.

With President Biden rescinding the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy in 2021, there is a concern that American citizens may unknowingly contribute to overseas abortions through "foreign assistance." The senators believe it is crucial for Congress to ensure that this cannot happen now or in the future. By doing so, the dignity of unborn human lives everywhere will be affirmed, and countless lives across the globe will be saved.

The Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act has garnered significant support, with several senators cosponsoring the legislation. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), and Todd Young (R-IN) have all signed on as cosponsors.

The introduction of the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act marks an important step in the ongoing debate surrounding abortion and foreign aid. The bill aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions overseas, reaffirming the sanctity of human life.