Funds Released for Family Planning Abroad

President Clinton signed legislation Friday beginning the release of $385 million to overseas family-planning programs.

Previously, the money was to be withheld until July 1. The administration pushed the speedup through Congress, contending that the delay was interrupting supplies of birth control and contraceptive counseling and would lead to unintended pregnancies, abortions and maternal deaths. Federal funding for abortions overseas has been banned since 1973.

“We are assuring that these programs will continue to serve the many millions of women and men whose health and well-being--and ability to plan their own futures--depend on family planning,” Clinton said.