Statement from UAP Executive Director Seema Jalan on House Appropriations Committee Passage of the FY2023 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Bill

Statement from Universal Access Project Executive Director Seema Jalan:

“The Universal Access Project applauds House Appropriations Committee passage of another gold-star State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs spending bill that if adopted, would make significant strides toward global sexual and reproductive health and rights in the FY2023 federal budget. Under leadership from Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Rosa DeLauro, this year’s spending bill increases funding for international family planning and reproductive health programming and the essential work of UNFPA, the UN agency on sexual and reproductive health; and addresses longstanding and harmful foreign policy restrictions by removing the Helms amendment and permanently repealing the global gag rule. Even as the U.S. has taken unconscionable steps backwards in reproductive rights at home, it can and must still move forward – with humility – its commitments to global health and human rights, including by prioritizing sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ) in our foreign policy as reflected in the federal budget and beyond. Thank you to all the Members of Congress who spoke in support of reproductive health and rights in today’s markup; we need leadership like this now more than ever. “