Senate bill ends ban on funding for abortions

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 53-41 vote was short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a presidential veto on an issue that has been contentious on Capitol Hill since President Reagan implemented the ban.

The vote was a sign of determination by Democrats to press for substantial changes in federal policies.

The action came during consideration of the foreign-aid bill for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

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

Shortly before the Senate vote, the White House budget office issued a statement declaring that if Congress sent the president a measure that “weakens current federal policies and laws on abortion, he would veto the bill.”

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., a longtime advocate of abortion rights, led the fight to overturn what she called the “global gag rule.” Under existing policy, no U.S. foreign aid can go to organizations that use their own money to support abortion, including counseling.

Repealing the policy “could significantly enhance the health and well-being of millions of women around the globe, ” Boxer said.