Us Congress House Bill HR1299

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/13/24
• Refer: 6/13/24

Caption

Reaffirming the goals and ideals of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action in Cairo, Egypt, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Impact

The bill seeks to recommit the U.S. government to support and promote SRHR as a crucial component of global health. It calls for increased funding for international family planning programs and the termination of harmful policies such as the global gag rule and Helms Amendment, which restrict U.S. funds from being used for abortions. Such shifts would potentially enhance the availability of comprehensive healthcare services and address the needs of marginalized populations, contributing to improvements in public health outcomes.

Summary

HR1299 is a resolution reaffirming the goals and ideals established at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt. The resolution emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as fundamental human rights. It acknowledges the progress made since the adoption of the ICPD Programme of Action while highlighting the persistent inequalities and challenges that still hinder individuals’ access to SRHR services worldwide. The resolution also underscores the role of the United States as a leading global funder for these initiatives.

Contention

While HR1299 has garnered support for its intention to advance SRHR globally, it faces opposition from those who view the promotion of abortion access as controversial. Critics may argue against the allocation of federal resources to international programs that include abortion services, reflecting a broader cultural divide on reproductive rights in the United States. The resolution also critiques the recent backsliding on reproductive rights, particularly concerning access to safe abortion and services for the LGBTQIA+ community, which may spark further debate about the implications of such a recommitment.