Bush and the Contraception Contradiction
Washington DC - July 25, 2005Even as President Bush reinstated the Mexico City Policy (also known as the Global Gag Rule) in January 2001, the White House asserted that the President supports U.S. family planning assistance efforts, stating that “he knows that one of the best ways to prevent abortion is by providing quality voluntary family planning services.” Four years later, the President’s support for safe and voluntary contraception is no longer so clear or concise.
In May of this year, during a House debate over federal funding for stem cell research, a reporter asked whether the President opposes contraception. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan equivocated, offering neither a clear “yes” or “no” answer. When asked again last week at a daily press briefing, McClellan’s response escalated in contempt but gave no more insight into the Administration’s true position.
Worldwide, more than 200 million women have an unmet need for effective contraceptive methods. The need continues to grow as the number of women and men in their childbearing years increases and as more of them want to plan their families. While the need is greatest in developing countries, Americans also require and desire access to reproductive health services so that they may decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children. According to a 2005 poll commissioned by the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), 88 percent of respondents – including those self-described as Republicans and/or “pro-life” – agree that men and women have the right to information about and access to contraception.
The American people are waiting for an unambiguous answer from their President.
Does the President oppose contraception?
Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.
