Support the Global Democracy Promotion Act

The global "gag" rule policy, first imposed during the Reagan
administration but lifted by President Clinton through an Executive
Order in 1993, denies U.S. international family planning assistance
to any overseas organization that uses *its own private resources*
for: (1) abortion services, (2) abortion-related advocacy, or (3)
counseling women clients about abortion or referring them to a legal
abortion provider. On his first day in office in 2001, President Bush
reimposed this harmful policy.
The U.S. supports voluntary family planning services in more than 60
countries throughout the developing world. Family planning can
prevent maternal and child deaths, unintended pregnancies, unsafe
abortions, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The
global "gag" rule forces these organizations to choose between vital
U.S. support and their right to advocate and provide for the
reproductive health care of the women they serve with their own
private funds. Such a restriction would be illegal and
unconstitutional if applied domestically in the United States.

In response to the resurrection of this discriminatory and harmful
policy, pro-choice lawmakers led by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY)
and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have introduced legislation to
repeal the global "gag" rule and unshackle these vital programs. The
Global Democracy Promotion Act prohibits the denial of U.S. funds to
overseas groups based on the medical services they provide, and makes
clear that U.S. funds may not be used to impose restrictions on free
speech that would be illegal if applied in the United States. Last
year, two Senate Committees approved the bill, but the House narrowly
reaffirmed the Bush policy. This year, Congressional supporters of
family planning will renew their push to enact this important
legislation.

From: http://naralaction.org/campaign/Gag_Congress_0702/explanation

To support this effort:
http://naralaction.org/campaign/Gag_Congress_0702