Spending Bill Introduced in Senate Appropriations Committee Would  Permanently Eliminate Global Gag Rule 

The legislative package would also increase funding for international family planning programs and the United Nations Population Fund 

WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced a Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) FY2022 spending bill in the Senate Appropriations Committee. This legislation would permanently repeal the global gag rule and invest in sexual and reproductive health across the globe. It also increases funding for international family planning programs and the United Nations Population Fund.  

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Today’s spending bill is an important step toward expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care around the world. Permanently ending the global gag rule, which disproportionately harms women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people, is long overdue. The investments in international family planning and UNFPA will be key to improving the health and lives of millions of people. We thank Senator Coons for his leadership as well as his commitment to prioritizing global health and ending the global gag rule once and for all. We are dedicated to ensuring that this necessary policy change and these funding increases are prioritized as Congress works to finalize the FY2022 appropriations process.” 

Ten days into office, President Biden took action to rescind the devastating global gag rule, stopping the U.S. policy of blocking critical health care access across the globe — for now. This legislation coming out of the Senate Appropriations Committee would permanently end this policy. The House included an identical provision in their bill which passed in July. This policy is deeply unpopular: 70% of Americans favor ending the global gag rule and over 150 diverse organizations have endorsed the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act, introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) to permanently end the global gag rule. 

The bill introduced would also make critical investments in international family planning programs, increasing total investments to $705 million, including $55 million for the United Nations Population Fund — a welcome proposed funding increase in the face of significant global need and 11 years of flat funding. 

The package also contains other technical but meaningful changes that will improve access to family planning and reproductive health services around the world. However, Congress still has to address barriers like the Helms Amendment, which has blocked the use of U.S. foreign assistance to support access to abortion services for nearly 50 years. The Helms Amendment is a significant barrier to safe and legal health care globally. It endangers lives, stigmatizes abortion, and undermines our ability to advance health, human rights, and gender equality. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all 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, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

For 50 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with nearly 100 organizations across nine 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. Each year, our partners provide sexual and reproductive health information and services to nearly 2 million people. 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. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.