In late 1996 and early 1997, a wide coalition of groups worked to mobilize Congressional and public support for international family planning assistance. To support this effort, AVSC prepared and distributed a report on the impact of congressional restrictions on international family planning and reproductive health programs.

These actions helped to win an early release of embargoed U.S. funds supporting family planning overseas, as follows:

• Presidential Support. On January 31, President Clinton certified to Congress that a delay in releasing international family planning funds would cause "serious, irreversible and avoidable harm" to the international family planning program.
• Victory in the House. On February 13, the House of Representatives voted 220 to 209 to release funds for international family planning assistance in March instead of July of this year. The vote was the first significant victory for family planning in the House in many years.
• Bill Becomes Law. On February 25, the Senate also voted to release these funds, and shortly thereafter the President signed the bill.

Restructuring AID

On April 17, the Clinton Administration indicated that it would support a proposal to modify the structure of various foreign policy agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID). Under the proposal, AID would remain a distinct entity, but its director would come under the direct authority of the Secretary of State. The implications of this plan, should it become law, remain unclear.

But whether or not this proposal becomes law, and whatever its ultimate implications, AID's continued status as an independent agency promises to have a significant impact on the future of international family planning assistance.

What to Watch For

This summer, Congress will again consider bills reauthorizing the foreign assistance act and appropriating funds for foreign aid, including family planning and reproductive health programs. At issue are: overall budget levels for foreign affairs; the nature and scope of restrictions attached to funds for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); whether or not there will be additional abortion-related restrictions placed on AID funds; and the continuation of a system of per-month allocations (metering) of AID funds for family planning.

It remains to be seen whether the support for family planning funds demonstrated in the February vote will carry over into these legislative battles.