WASHINGTON (AP) ? A House of Representatives panel has endorsed a ban on giving U.S. money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information.
The effort is an attempt to reverse a policy President Barack Obama put in place within days of his inauguration.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday rejected a Democratic effort to strike the provision from a sweeping foreign aid bill. The vote was 25-17.
The provision bans U.S. taxpayer money, usually Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. Exceptions are for rape, incest or if the life of the mother is in danger.
The House panel’s move has little chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
