OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

Date: June 16, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Criminal Justice


SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (House of Representatives - June 16, 2005)

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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, torture is a crime. It is an international crime, and it is a violation of U.S. law. The state-sponsored exportation or outsourcing of torture called "extraordinary rendition" is repugnant and it is immoral. Outsourcing torture threatens America's security. It destroys our Nation's moral authority in the world, and it is the height of hypocrisy.

The fact that this country, through the Bush administration, has been sending detainees, including innocent individuals, to countries like Syria to be tortured and abused is a stain on America's reputation, and it is a shameful rejection of our national values.

Extraordinary rendition is indefensible. It is legally and morally to be condemned by this Congress.

I am pleased that it is to be incorporated into the bill. I strongly urge all Members of Congress to watch this issue carefully. Those of us who value human rights want to end the use of our tax dollars to fund the outsourcing of torture. And I am very pleased that this has been included in the bill.

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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, it is a fact. It is a fact that international delegations have visited the UNFPA's programs consistently in China, and it is a fact that they have said that the UNFPA is part of the solution in China, helping to promote voluntary family planning.

It is a fact that, since 1999, 60 delegations, 145 diplomats from around the world, have visited UNFPA's China program, and not one of them has found any evidence to suggest that the UNFPA is doing anything other than making the situation better.

Every year the world's poorest nations have millions of mothers dying needlessly during childbirth. Millions of infants die every year in these same countries. These deaths, most of them, can be prevented.

It is the mission of UNFPA to save lives, to promote healthy women, healthy babies, and healthy families by allowing voluntary family planning.

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