Boozman Votes ‘No' On Bill Allowing International Abortion Advocacy

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Boozman Votes ‘No' On Bill Allowing International Abortion Advocacy

U.S. Representative John Boozman issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act:

"This compromises the national security interest of the United States, and I have serious concerns that this legislation would serve as a catalyst in overturning common sense pro-life policies overseas. The bill establishes an Office for Global Women's issues to further ‘women's empowerment internationally,' an agenda which all Members of Congress can support. However, included in the legislation is a provision that allows the Office to serve as an international advocator for abortion.

This bill ties the hands of American diplomats by mandating that they make sexual orientation a foreign policy priority, regardless of national security considerations. This is an attack on family values overseas by allowing an office for women's rights to advocate for abortion in pro-life nations. This offensive legislation must be opposed to ensure that our national security remains our top priority and that religious freedom in the United States and abroad are not compromised.

I have serious concerns about the amount of spending this legislation authorizes. The legislation includes a single year increase of 35% for the State Department's basic operations account. Contributions to the UN would also increase by 32% in a single year at a time when our domestic economy is struggling. We need to work to cutback government spending and follow the example set by our nation's families."

Boozman serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He opposed this legislation in the full committee markup before it was sent to the House floor.

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