Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Republican senators are set to introduce a new bill called the American Values Act, which aims to restrict the use of U.S. foreign aid funds for abortions. The bill seeks to permanently enforce and broaden existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion services overseas.
The proposed legislation would prevent the allocation of foreign assistance funds for performing, promoting, or lobbying for or against abortions and forced sterilization. Additionally, it would prohibit the use of funds for biomedical research related to abortions and restrict support to organizations involved in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization programs.
The bill also includes provisions to ensure that funds available to the Peace Corps cannot be used for abortions. Senator Risch emphasized the importance of aligning foreign aid with American values, stating that no foreign assistance funds should be used for abortion services.
Joining Senator Risch in sponsoring the bill are Republican Senators Roger Marshall, Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Markwayne Mullin, Marsha Blackburn, Steve Daines, Tim Sheehy, Bill Hagerty, and Pete Ricketts.
This legislative move follows President Donald Trump's directive to halt funding for initiatives deemed as 'woke' and to prevent the 'weaponization of government' for enhanced efficiency. The White House highlighted instances of wasteful spending, including $37 million slated for the World Health Organization and $50 million for condoms in Gaza.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized these expenditures as frivolous and emphasized the need to eliminate unnecessary government spending. The American Values Act reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that U.S. foreign aid is utilized in a manner consistent with American principles and to safeguard the sanctity of life globally.
