Us Congress House Bill HCR3

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/25
• Refer: 1/13/25

Caption

Expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and urging that the United States rejoin this historic declaration.

Impact

If passed, HCR3 would reaffirm and potentially reshape the United States' foreign policy towards women's health and reproductive rights on the global stage. The resolution supports existing federal laws that restrict funding for abortion and related services in foreign countries. This indicates a strong stance towards prioritizing life protection and traditional family values in domestic and foreign policy. As such, it may limit the ability of U.S. funding to support international reproductive health programs that include abortion services, aligning U.S. policy more closely with the principles of the Geneva Consensus Declaration.

Summary

HCR3 is a concurrent resolution that expresses support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family. This resolution underscores the commitment to enhance women’s health, acknowledge the family as the fundamental unit of society, and affirm the dignity of every human life. The bill specifically notes that there is no international right to abortion, advocating for the sovereignty of nations to establish their own policies in relation to women's health and family protections without external influences. The bill aims to reintroduce the United States as a signatory to this declaration, emphasizing collaboration among countries towards these goals.

Contention

The resolution has become a point of contention, particularly following the withdrawal of the United States from the Geneva Consensus Declaration under the Biden administration. Proponents argue that rejoining this declaration strengthens international norms supporting women's health and family rights while opposing any form of coercive practices regarding reproductive health. Critics, however, raise concerns that the resolution may contribute to limiting access to necessary reproductive healthcare worldwide, which could disproportionately affect women in vulnerable situations. The political discourse surrounding HCR3 reflects broader national debates over women's rights and health services.

Notable_points

The resolution is notable for its historical context, having originated during the Trump administration when the U.S. played a lead role in promoting the Geneva Consensus Declaration. The ongoing political disagreements over abortion and reproductive rights in the United States continue to shape the perception of this bill. The resolution's emphasis on coalescing international support against any perceived coercion in reproductive health also highlights the complexities of international women’s health advocacy.