There is bi-partisan support in both chambers of Congress to overturn the Global Gag Rule.
Leading the battle are Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in the Senate and Nita Lowey (D-NY) in the House, who have introduced bills S367 and HR755, or the Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2001. The Global Democracy Promotion Act is designed "To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign non-governmental organizations with the respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961."
The measure has been co-sponsored in the Senate by Washington Senator Patty Murray, a longtime champion of women's reproductive rights in the Senate, and in the House by Washington Representative Jim McDermott. Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell has also co-signed the bill. WaRRN commends these legislators on their support for this vital measure.
On Wednesday, March 28, 2001 President Bush signed a Presidential Memorandum to circumvent this proposed legislation, implementing the global gag rule immediately despite strong opposition in Congress and among the American people. WaRRN condemns this act as a conscious disregard for the democratic process. By appealing to the conservative anti-choice agenda, President Bush is putting the lives of millions of women at risk.