Senate's Vote Revives Overseas Abortion Issue (53 Senators Back Overturning Band On Aid)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Senate's vote revives overseas abortion issue
Despite a veto threat, 53 senators back overturning a ban on aid to groups that offer support for the procedure.
By Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 7, 2007
WASHINGTON -- -- Defying a White House veto threat, the Democratic-controlled Senate voted Thursday to overturn a long-standing ban on U.S. funding for overseas family planning groups that support abortion. The vote was 53-41, short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto on an issue that has been contentious on Capitol Hill since President Reagan instituted the ban.

Even so, the vote was a sign of determination by Democrats to press for substantial changes in federal policies, even though they have only a narrow majority in the Senate. The action came during consideration of the foreign operations bill for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The Senate bill must be reconciled with a House measure, which does not include a provision to overturn the ban. But the House measure includes another provision that has also drawn a veto threat -- one that would permit family planning groups abroad to distribute U.S.- provided contraceptives.

- snip -

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), a longtime advocate of abortion rights, led the fight to overturn what she called the "global gag rule."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-abortion7sep07,1,6992073.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

[musette_sf]

1. K&R n/t

[dickbearton]

2. Tell Bush to stick his veto threat...

Were it will not see the light of day.

[robinlynne]

3. Boxer is wonderful!

[femrap]

4. Go Barbara!!!

The neocons and Repugnants hate women.

[rich1107]

5. These people make me sick

Even if they overturn Roe V Wade the rich will just fly to Switzerland or Sweden or wherever and have their abortions, while the poor in this country will go back to coat hangers. As the famous saying goes..."the comforts of the rich depend on an abundence of the poor." And thes MFs call themselves Christians?

[Vidar]

6. Barbara makes me proud.

[Hekate]

7. That's a huge step in the right direction. Bush signed the Global Gag Order his FIRST DAY in office

I was on a freeway on-ramp when I heard it on the radio and damn near drove off the side I was so furious. Women and children have DIED because Bush had to pander to his narrow base.

Gods bless Barbara Boxer! It looks like the Senate Democrats are pulling together!

Hekate
:toast: