UNITED STATES CONGRESS COMMITTEE VOTES TO RESTORE FUNDING TO UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND
Press Release
POP/724
UNITED STATES CONGRESS COMMITTEE VOTES TO RESTORE FUNDING TO UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND
19990415 WASHINGTON, D.C., 14 April -- The United States House of Representatives International Relations Committee today voted 23 to 17 to renew United States funding of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, H.R. 1211, received bipartisan support by members who argued that the UNFPA plays a critical global role in protecting women's health and curbing population growth, and that the United States should support its efforts."This amendment will save women's lives all over the world," said Representative Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), "and it will put the United States behind a programme that is making a real and positive contribution."
The amendment was introduced to the Committee by Representative Tom Campbell (R-CA). As passed today, it would authorize the appropriation of a $25 million contribution to the UNFPA in fiscal year 2000 and $25 million in 2001 under a strict set of conditions. None of the United States contribution to the UNFPA may be used in China, and United States funds would be maintained in a segregated account and may not be mixed with other UNFPA funds.
In addition, the United States contribution would be reduced dollar-for- dollar by the amount that the UNFPA spends in China, unless the President of the United States certifies that UNFPA's country programme in China focuses on improving the delivery of voluntary family planning information and services; conforms to internationally recognized human rights principles; implements activities only in counties in China where all targets and quotas have been abolished; and works in consultation with and under the oversight of UNFPA's Executive Board.
"I am encouraged by this promising development. We at UNFPA welcome the renewed commitment by Members of Congress to restore funding. The United States has always been a leader in the population field and played an important role in global family planning efforts", said Dr. Nafis Sadik, Executive Director of the UNFPA.
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In September 1998, the United States Congress defunded the UNFPA as part of the Omnibus Budget Resolution. In the 106th Congress, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Representative Connie Morella (R-MD) launched a legislative effort to restore a United States contribution to the UNFPA. H.R. 895, The UNFPA Funding Act of 1999, was introduced in March 1999 and currently has over 55 co-sponsors. Today's amendment to H.R. 1211 was based in part on H.R. 895. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 1211 during the week of April 19-23.
For more information, contact Sarah Craven at UNFPA-Washington tel. (202) 326-8713, or Corrie Shanahan at UNFPA-New York tel. (212) 297-5023.
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