President's Reaction to Senate Committee Attempts to Strike Mexico City Policy

The Bush administration put out a very strongly worded Statement of administration Policy (SAP) on September 23, 2004 saying the President would veto the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill if it contained a Senate provision overturning the President’s pro-life Mexico City Policy. The letter also states strong opposition to language that would prevent the President from transferring funds from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) to a program to combat sex trafficking.

The Bush Administration message to the Senate Committee on Appropriations reads, in part, ". . . the Administration does not support Senate passage of the FY Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill in its current form because it includes a section that would overturn the Administration’s family planning policy (commonly known as the ‘Mexico City’ policy). The President would veto the bill if it were presented to him with such a provision." The message further states, "The Administration strongly opposes the language in Section 560(b), which would redirect UNFPA funds now intended for the President’s initiative to combat the trafficking of women and children;" and, "The Administration strongly opposes language in the Child Survival and Health account, which infringes upon the President’s ability to enforce Administration policy regarding international family planning assistance."

President Bush is to be commended for his veto-threat in this matter. Senators should be notified that Americans do not want their tax dollars funding abortions in foreign countries. The Mexico City Polity must remain in force.

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