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 legislation aimed at ensuring that foreign aid does not fund or promote abortions overseas. The senators are determined to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used for such purposes.

Dr. Rand Paul emphasized the importance of this 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, highlighting the value of every human life, born and unborn, and the need for healthcare to prioritize the preservation and protection of both the mother and the unborn child. He stated, "Our laws and use of taxpayer money should reflect that truth, which is why I have introduced these bills."

The legislation builds upon the Mexico City Policy, which was initially implemented by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. This policy restricts family planning foreign assistance funds from being allocated to organizations that provide or promote abortions or advocate for changes in abortion laws in foreign countries. Over the years, the policy has been rescinded and reinstated with different administrations.

Under the Trump Administration, the policy was expanded and renamed as the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy. It applied to all global health assistance, foreign nonprofits, and NGOs. The current bill seeks to permanently codify an enhanced version of the PLGHA policy into law, covering all assistance provided to foreign or domestic nonprofits, NGOs, and multilateral organizations.

With President Biden having rescinded the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy in 2021, there is a concern that American citizens may unknowingly support overseas abortions through "foreign assistance." The senators are determined to prevent this from happening and ensure that the dignity of unborn human lives is affirmed worldwide. They believe that by passing this legislation, countless lives can be saved across the globe.

The Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act has garnered support from several other senators, including Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and many others. Their collective efforts reflect a commitment to protecting life and ensuring that taxpayer money is not used to fund abortions overseas.

To learn more about the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act and its provisions, interested individuals can access the bill on Senator Rand Paul's official website.

Source: [Senator Rand Paul](https://www.paul.senate.gov/)