The House of Representatives passed the 2007 fiscal year budget on Friday, which includes $432 billion for international family planning programs. President Bush had proposed cutting aid for international family planning by 18 percent to $357 million, although he has said since 2001 that he would maintain international family planning funding at $425 million, according to Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report. The House Appropriations Committee eliminated President Bush’s cuts to family planning programs in a vote last month.
While the budget allocates funding to go to developing countries for international family planning programs, the global gag rule restricts which programs can receive the funding. The gag rule, or the Mexico City Policy, bars family planning programs in countries that receive US federal aid from using separate, private monies for abortion counseling, advocacy, and referrals.
