Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) led his colleagues in the House and Senate, along with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina) and Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) on a letter to the Department of Defense (DoD), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in support of the Sept. 14 proposed rule on Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA).

The proposed rule would close a significant loophole that has allowed American funding to go to foreign abortion service providers. Currently, PLGHA only applies to global health assistance provided through grants and cooperative agreements. Under the proposed rule, PLGHA will be extended to include contracts.

“I’m grateful that the Trump Administration is standing up for taxpayers and the rights of the unborn,” said Rep. Estes. “Every life is valuable, and the proposed reforms to the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy reaffirm American dedication to the protection of our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

While ensuring that all foreign contractors must comply with the PLGHA terms, the proposed rule clarifies that, while U.S. contractors and subcontractors are not subject to PLGHA themselves, they are responsible for ensuring the compliance of any foreign subcontractors.

The letter states, “Abortion is not healthcare, and more than 76% of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions in other countries.  This proposed rule will redirect additional U.S. foreign assistance away from funding abortion and toward legitimate, life-affirming global health initiatives.”

The full text of the letter and a list of signers can be found here.