Anti-abortion militants are once again threatening to strike down attempts to supply an $18 billion relief package to the International Monetary Fund. Abortion opponents are demanding that the U.S. prohibit funding to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that perform abortions or encourage family planning in foreign countries.
Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Al) told Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin that money would not be allocated without the support of anti-abortion Congressional members. New Jersey Republican Rep. Christopher Smith claims that they will not back down. “These will not be de-linked,” said Smith, in reference to relief funding and abortion language.