The House of Representatives voted Thursday to reverse President George W. Bush's ban on contraception aid to groups overseas that offer abortions.
If sent to President George W. Bush in its current form, he is likely to veto it swiftly. To overturn a veto requires two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate, which would be impossible on this legislation because of its support from conservative lawmakers. Significant numbers say no assistance of any kind should be given to organizations that promote or offer abortions.
The legislation is intended by the new Democratic majority to crack open debate on a foreign policy it says is failing badly. Initiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 at a population conference in Mexico City, the policy bars any assistance to organizations abroad that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning.
Democrats say an unintended consequence is an alarming shortage of contraceptives, particularly in poor rural areas.
The bill would help "reduce unintended and high-risk pregnancies and abortions ... and save the lives of mothers," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who chairs the House appropriations panel that oversees the foreign aid budget.
"It is simply not enough to say you support family planning, so long as the current restrictions remain in law," Lowey said.