Bush has said he wishes to unite divided Americans. However, there is no subject more divisive in America and in Congress than abortion. The new president should not have lit the fires of acrimony in the same week that he launches his agenda for education and other matters that require compromise.
Federal law prohibits use of U.S. tax dollars to fund abortions.
However, President Clinton reversed an executive decision of the two Republican presidents before him to deny U.S. aid to any foreign programs that use their own money to provide abortion services. Clinton's order also released these groups from restrictions on free speech by allowing them to lobby for changes in abortion laws and not risk losing U.S. funding. The political consequences at home of imposing restrictions on U.S. family planning aid pale in comparison to the consequences for women and their families in poorer countries. Another 2.8 million men and women died from AIDS, which in some parts of Africa is an epidemic. This country can save lives through family planning and public health services that reduce the numbers of deaths.