Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee have introduced the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act to prevent foreign aid from being used to fund or promote abortions overseas. Dr. Paul emphasized, "No taxpayer dollar should be used to fund abortion overseas," while Sen. Lee highlighted the importance of valuing both the unborn child and the mother's life in healthcare.

The legislation aims to build on the Mexico City Policy, initially implemented by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, which restricts family planning foreign assistance from going to organizations that support abortions or advocate for abortion law changes in foreign countries. The bill seeks to permanently enshrine an expanded version of this policy, known as the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance, into law, covering all forms of global health assistance to foreign or domestic nonprofits, NGOs, and multilateral organizations.

The senators stress the significance of upholding the dignity of unborn human lives globally and preventing American citizens from inadvertently supporting overseas abortions through foreign assistance. With the recent rescinding of the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy by President Biden in 2021, there is a renewed urgency for Congress to ensure that taxpayer money does not fund abortions abroad.

In addition to Sens. Paul and Lee, a coalition of other senators, including Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz, have cosponsored the legislation, demonstrating broad support for the initiative.

The Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act represents a crucial step in safeguarding the sanctity of life and ensuring that U.S. foreign aid is not used to further abortion practices overseas.