Dems Lose Fight To Aid Abortion Groups

Promised Veto Thwarts Measure To Ease Restrictions On International Groups That Offer Abortions

(AP)  Unable to override a promised veto, Democrats have backed down on their insistence that the 2008 foreign aid budget reverse President Bush's ban on providing aid to family planning groups abroad that offer abortions.

A measure to ease restrictions on international aid was stripped this weekend from a $500 billion-plus government-wide spending bill, which includes some $35 billion for the State Department and foreign aid programs.

Congress is expected to pass the bill this week. Eliminating the provision allows Democrats to wrap up their long-unfinished budget work and go on vacation before Christmas.

Democrats blamed the White House for threatening to block the bill if it included the measure, and Republicans who agreed to back the president.

"This dogmatic adherence to an illogical position diminishes our influence around the world and prevents us from working effectively to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancies and reduce abortions," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee.

Since taking office in 2001, Bush has prohibited any assistance to organizations overseas that perform or promote abortion. The policy was first initiated by President Reagan in 1984 at a population conference in Mexico City.

Democrats say an unintended consequence is an alarming shortage of contraceptives, particularly in poor rural areas. After taking control of Congress this year, the Democrats pushed through legislation to ease restrictions.

In June, the House voted 223-201 to allow any overseas organization to obtain U.S.-donated contraceptives.

The Senate followed suit in September with a stronger measure that would have reversed Bush's ban entirely and allowed financial assistance be given to any group, regardless of whether it performs abortions. That measure, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was narrowly approved, 53-41.

The provisions were included as part of the House and Senate's foreign aid spending bills for the 2008 budget year, despite GOP objections.

"If we provide either cash or in-kind contributions or anything of value to pro-abortion organizations in other countries, we empower, enrich and enable them to expand abortion," said Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J.

Activists said this week they applaud Democrats for trying.

"It is unconscionable for a president to ignore the majority of the members of Congress, the majority of Americans and the best interests of millions of human beings because he is blinded by his own narrow beliefs," said Amy Coen, president of Population Action International. "Today, the shadow of one man darkens the lives of so many."

[iceman_1960]

"lambofgoth, germs are creatures of God. We are children of God, created in his image. No comparison."
- Posted by rohink at 02:51 AM : Dec 18, 2007

Our Father in Heaven created germs ?

For some purpose besides causing small children to die horrible deaths ?

Sounds like child abuse on His part.

[michellem99-2009]

I am a Mainer and we never had slaves..It was barred. At the same time christians think they have all the answers..sorry yer don''t. If yer did this would not be hell on earth. Christians are blinded by *be in the world but not of it*. As a foster child I learnt no body wants children not theirs. Yer can''t force others to raise children they can''t raise. Them children like me years ago were put on the town. My late foster parent told me daily how she hated us and every day her words to me were,*Barbara yer got no business to have children yer can''t take care of,give them a home, the basics etc*. Every day. I am a legally blind with other handicaps. There are children here have are not cared for properly. Take care of what children now in the world.

[michellem99-2009]

Ruby,Dear Love yer post..We have talked about this issue of 9/11. The terrorists are the born again churches. They and their members. Not Jesus Christ.
Some body called human beings animals..right we are thinking and do animals..WE ARE ANIMALS...That may not fly with some but it is the truth.

[neocon04]

I don''t care what you say about me. I don''t care what you think about me. In my heart I believe that abortion is not only wrong, it is not the answer to any of the problems that you use to justify it. Around 160 years ago there was a group of people, many of them christians who belived in their hearts that slavery was wrong and took a lot of heat but never waivered in their believe. History has been good to these people. I wonder how history will be to us.

[michellem99-2009]

No not all of them..Abortion is not a form of birth control. crzmeat please dear..The ladies who do it for selfish reasons yes they are the ones who end up/down there as yer post saids. If a lady must have an abortion for health reasons than that Dr better fix her tubes so no more babies. Drs. will not fix her tubes when she ask Dr. to do it. Just a woman can breed does not mean she should. Abortion for medical reasons..no problem. Any other reason ..nope.

[bobmarisol]

Why is it that liberal Democrats are so eager to kill unborn children, yet they say that it is ''torture'' to pour a little water on the face of a terrorist? Is it not ''torture'' to suck the brains out of a baby right after pulling him out of his mothers womb?

[oldpilot954]

I see this turned into the usual name calling session but the discussion itself is not a bad thing. The reason most of us cursed "family-values" people hold to our beliefs is that we do believe that we will answer to God for our decisons. If you take God out of the equation and mankind is a mere animal, then what is the value of a human life? You talk about the lives lost in the war but what is immoral about that if they are just animals that have no eternal value? Most reading this would be appalled at calling those brave young men and women that are serving in the Middle East mere animals but yet we classify unborn children and old people that way. One of the things that concerns we who generally consider ourselves pro-life is where do you draw the line? Today the line is the exit of the womb and (in old age) the ability to survive without a feeding tube. What will it be tomorrow that determines whether the human being deserves to be called a "person" thus having a right to choose for themselves. Will it be the abilty to work a job (therefore contributing to society),the right I.Q.,the right racial heritage or right political party? Some countries, today, withhold their socialist medical care from those over 70 who need major care needs. Got cancer -- ''have some pain killers because you''re too old to be a real "person" and get chemo'' or surgery!'' That would sure solve a lot of social security issues in the next 30 years! But is it right?

[Krazcarl]

You know a long time ago I quit trying to be the conciense for other folks. As for the anti abortion crowd all there doing is laying headtrips on folks and trying to look like they own the higher ground there mean {bombers vocal and disruptive} all they do is hurt people by saying there help the unborn there is a special place in h*ll for these folks period...

[simonsez40]

I don''''t understand Democrates. Executing a cold blooded killer is inhuman but killing an unborn baby is A-OK.

Posted by Neocon04 at 09:48 AM : Dec 18, 2007

If you are SO CONCERNED with abortion why don''t you volunteer, donate money and help adopt all those unwanted children in our childcare services system. What gets me if Neocons would actually be as concerned AS THEY SAY THEY are about children - then we''d have 0 (ZERO) children waiting to be adopted.

With all that ails our nation - you are going to *** for tat over abortion? Ridiculous - concentrate on our criminal president, global warming, poor children, the needy, the shambles of marriage, the morality of our government etc.....

[neocon04]

Some ladies can''''t carry a child for health reason therefore it is aborted.

Posted by MichelleM99 at 12:29 AM : Dec 18, 2007

-------------------------------------------------

There has been over 40 millon abortions preformed since Roe vs Wade. Are you telling me that every one of them was due to health?