JURIST – Paper Chase: House votes to reverse ban on overseas contraceptive aid

The amendment would allow contraceptive aid to be given to nongovernmental agencies overseas, regardless of whether they promote or provide abortions.The aid ban, originally called the Mexico City Policy [Wikipedia backgrounder], was initially introduced under President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and required nongovernmental organizations to agree as a condition of their receipt of US funds that they would neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations. This policy was in effect until it was rescinded on January 22, 1993. President George W. Bush reinstated the policy [memorandum text] in January 2001. The measure passed Thursday is expected to be swiftly vetoed by the president if it obtains Senate support.

And with any luck, if a majority of American voters elect a President that uses reality-based decision-making to set policy, the aid ban will be re-rescinded, or re-uninstated, on approximately January 21, 2009.

So the question I’d like to see answered at the next round of candidate forums is not “Do you believe in evolution?” but rather “Will you rescind the contraceptive funding ban from foreign aid? If not, why not?”