Planned Parenthood Opposes Nauert’s Nomination for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Trump-Pence administration announced the nomination of Heather Nauert, who is currently a spokesperson for the State Department, as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. As a permanent representative to the U.N., the U.S. Ambassador plays a key role in defining and representing U.S. interests on the global stage, and advising the president on key foreign policy decisions. In addition to her significant lack of substantive foreign policy experience, Nauert has a troubling perspective on a range of human rights issues. In her current role, Nauert has been a vocal and consistent advocate for the administration’s extreme agenda, including defending the State Department’s unprecedented censorship of reproductive rights from the annual human rights report. And as a Fox News host, she cited unreliable news sources that fit her incendiary views of abortion, Muslims, and immigration. She offensively dismissed gender-inclusive restrooms as “PC” (political correctness) and attention to the Flint water crisis as ploy to “potentially get more black votes." Nauert has demonstrated a consistent pattern of racist, anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-reproductive health rhetoric.

Statement from Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Global

Instead of fostering diplomacy, Heather Nauert has embraced hate and discrimination. The Trump-Pence administration has already eviscerated America’s standing as an ally to the sexual and reproductive health and rights movement, from empowering LGBTQ hate groups on the global stage, to erasing reproductive rights from the global human rights agenda.  Our next U.N. ambassador will need to embark on the tireless task of brokering deals with a diverse, international body on behalf of the U.S. and protecting and advancing human rights for all people. Nauert has limited diplomatic experience and a history of racist, anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-reproductive health rhetoric. She does not embody the values of this role, and is not fit to represent the United States on the global stage.  Planned Parenthood opposes this nomination. 

Under the Trump-Pence administration, the U.S. ambassador has consistently attacked the rights of the communities for which the role is intended to advocate.

The most recent U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley…

• Appointed LGBTQ hate groups to serve on the 2017 U.S. delegation to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women

• Supported banning U.S. funding for UNFPA, the U.N. agency which supports reproductive and maternal health in over 150 countries

• Rolled back U.S. foreign policy positions promoting access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights

• Deputized U.S. delegates like Valerie Huber (HHS) and Bethany Kozma (USAID) to outline the administration's anti-women’s agenda throughout negotiations at the Commission on the Status of Women this year. At a closed-door event, according to reports, Kozma said the “U.S. is a pro-life nation.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

For more than 45 years, Planned Parenthood Federation of America has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world through our international arm, Planned Parenthood Global. In partnership with more than 100 organizations across 12 focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Last year, our partners reached over a million people with sexual and reproductive health information and services provided by our partners. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans.