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 support or promote abortions overseas. The senators believe that no taxpayer dollars should be used to fund abortion abroad. Dr. Paul stated, "This bill is a step toward reining in foreign spending while also protecting life." Similarly, Sen. Lee emphasized the importance of valuing the dignity and worth of both the unborn child and the mother, saying, "Our laws and use of taxpayer money should reflect that truth."

The Mexico City Policy, first instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, restricts the availability of family planning foreign assistance funds to organizations that provide or promote abortions or advocate for changes in abortion laws in foreign countries. Over the years, this policy has been rescinded and reinstated by different administrations. Under the Trump Administration, the policy was expanded and renamed as the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy, which applied to all global health assistance, foreign nonprofits, and NGOs. This bill seeks to permanently codify an expanded version of the PLGHA policy into law, covering all assistance provided to foreign or domestic nonprofits, NGOs, and multilateral organizations.

The significance of this legislation is underscored by the fact that President Biden rescinded the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy in 2021. As a result, American citizens may unknowingly contribute to overseas abortions under the guise of "foreign assistance." The senators argue that Congress must take action to prevent this from happening and affirm the dignity of unborn human lives worldwide, potentially saving countless lives globally.

In addition to Sens. Paul and Lee, several other senators have cosponsored 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 shown their support for the legislation.

To learn more about the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act, interested individuals can read the full text of the bill on Senator Rand Paul's official website.

Source: Senator Rand Paul