GOP senators join Dems to lift abortion 'gag rule'

GOP senators join Dems to lift abortion 'gag rule'

Three Senate Republicans, including vulnerable incumbent Mark Kirk of Illinois, helped Democrats advance a repeal of the so-called global gag rule that restricts U.S. funding to humanitarian organizations that provide abortions.

In a Senate Appropriations Committee markup Thursday, Kirk and GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) joined the left to approve an amendment to the State Department spending bill that would lift the restriction, which has been a mainstay for Republicans since the Reagan administration in the 1980s.


It’s not surprising that Kirk was among the trio tacking to the middle: He’s been called the most vulnerable Senator up for reelection, and he’s running neck-and-neck with Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Murkowski, who was booted in her last primary by a conservative but won in an surprising write-in campaign, is also up in 2016. Collins has a reputation for being perhaps the most centrist member of the caucus, though her seat is considered safe.

The amendment was adopted 17-13.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/gop-senators-join-democrats-lift-abortion-gag-rule-repeal-119919.html#ixzz3fU5d7vTB

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The conservative-backed global gag rule essentially bars U.S. financial aid stipulated for contraception and family planning services, to any organization that performs or advises women about abortions — even if the U.S. money is not used for those items specifically. The rule is currently suspended by an executive order from President Barack Obama, but the Shaheen amendment repeals it permanently.

The amendment would, however, continue a prohibition on U.S. funding being used to perform abortions. Health agencies would have to use their own money for those types of services.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/gop-senators-join-democrats-lift-abortion-gag-rule-repeal-119919.html#ixzz3fU5OcWix