NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a $16.2 billion foreign aid bill without including funding for groups that promote or provide abortions.

      The Clinton administration and House Democrats said they will seek changes to the bill when it reaches the floor of the House for debate. Among the controversial provisions in the bill is a ban on US funding for international population control organizations that lobby foreign governments to legalize abortion. The measure also bans funding for groups that use money from other sources to provide abortions, although it allows the president to waive the restrictions in some cases.

      Even if passed by the House in its current form, the bill must be reconciled in conference committees with a Senate funding bill.