Leading Jewish Human Rights Group Applauds House Appropriations Committee for Advancing Legislation That Promotes Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

American Jewish World Service Welcomes Increased Funding, the Repeal of the Global Gag Rule, and the Removal of Helms Amendment

Background

Today, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations passed a bill that advances sexual and reproductive health and rights around the globe. The iscal ear 2022 (FY22) State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill increases funding for bilateral family planning and reproductive health accounts, LGBTQI+ programs at the State Department and USAID, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and permanently repeals the global gag rule, a draconian policy . In a historical step, the bill also removes the Helms Amendment, a step toward full repeal of this harmful amendment which has for nearly 50 years blocked  U.S. funding for abortion services around the globe.

Rori Kramer, Director of U.S. Advocacy at American Jewish World Service released the following statement to welcome the FY22 SFOPs bill.

Statement of Rori Kramer, Director of U.S. Advocacy at American Jewish World Service:

“With the passage of the FY22 State and Foreign Operations bill, the House Appropriations Committee has made history, firmly declaring that global sexual and reproductive health and rights are a priority for U.S. foreign policy.

“As a Jewish organization, we value the health and lives of all people and support their access to the full range of health services, including abortion services. We applaud Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman Barbara Lee and their colleagues for increasing funding streams for these life-saving programs and for including provisions that would strengthen U.S. global health programs. We encourage all Members of Congress to stand in support of this legislation and ensure that global sexual and reproductive health and rights are fully included in the final appropriations bill.”