World News
Effort to restore Mexico City policy with amendment to aid bill fails
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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A U.S. House committee's refusal to let an amendment on restoring the Mexico City policy go to the floor of the chamber eliminated a chance for debate on "an issue of serious concern to many Americans," said a Republican congressman from Arizona. The policy, which banned federal funding of abortion-providing groups abroad, was rescinded by President Barack Obama Jan. 23. Rep. Trent Franks accused "pro-abortion members" of obstructing an amendment to the 2010 State Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that would have allowed an up or down vote on restoring the policy. The amendment was sponsored by Franks and Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., Bart Stupak, D-Mich., James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. The House Rules Committee July 8 blocked the lawmakers' amendment to the $48.8 billion spending bill, which passed the House July 9. The Senate Appropriations Committee July 9 voted to permanently reverse the Mexico City policy. The full Senate is expected to take up its version of the foreign appropriations bill later this summer.
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