WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) today introduced the American Values Act, legislation to permanently enact and expand existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortion services overseas.
“American foreign aid should always be used in a way that is in line with American values- and that means that no foreign assistance funds should ever be used to perform or promote abortion services,” said Senator Risch. “I’m proud to introduce the American Values Act with my colleagues to hold our government accountable to this standard and protect the sanctity of life across the globe.”
“As President Donald J. Trump re-evaluates foreign aid, it’s absolutely essential that American taxpayer dollars are never used to fund abortions here or anywhere in the world,” said Senator Mullin. “Our nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it’s our job to protect those values. I’m glad to join this important legislation to defend the sanctity of life.”
“Human life across the world must be protected, and the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions abroad is contrary to American values,” said Senator Blackburn. “This bill would strengthen the existing restrictions on the use of foreign assistance for abortions, making it crystal clear such actions will not be tolerated.”
“No American taxpayer should be forced to fund abortions overseas,” said Dr. Paul. “It’s bad enough that Washington spends recklessly at home, but using taxpayer dollars to promote abortion abroad is an insult to both life and fiscal responsibility. This legislation is a necessary step towards reigning wasteful spending and standing for the fundamental right to life.”
Senator Rick Scott said, "It’s extremely troubling that American tax dollars could be used to promote or perform abortion overseas. Our American Values Act ensures U.S. taxpayer dollars sent as foreign aid are helping families, not harming human life."
“Americans made it clear this year with the election of President Trump that they have rejected the left’s radical, pro-abortion agenda. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to end the United States’ funding of abortions abroad and help our nation once again become a defender of life across the globe,” said Senator Daines.
“As the right to life is the most fundamental human right of all, I strongly oppose sending U.S. taxpayer dollars overseas to promote or perform abortion,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased once again to support the American Values Act that seeks to close loopholes and uphold pro-life values in U.S. diplomacy and development by placing permanent restrictions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to fund abortions and involuntary sterilizations.”
If enacted, this legislation would:
Full text of the American Values Act can be found here.
A one-pager on the American Values Act can be found here.
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