Dear Senator: 

The American Civil Liberties Union urges you to support S. 367, The Global Democracy Promotion Act, which the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will mark-up tomorrow. Sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer, S. 367 would overturn the "Global Gag Rule" -- a dangerous, anti-democratic restriction on overseas family planning aid. 

The Global Gag Rule prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning dollars from using their own -- not U.S. government -- funds to advocate for legal abortion, to perform legal abortions in their own countries, or to counsel and refer women for abortions. It undermines women's health by denying aid money to organizations that provide crucial family planning services simply because these organizations exercise their right to act as advocates and to speak out against laws and policies with which they disagree. 

S. 367 promotes American values of free speech and democratic participation by ensuring that foreign nongovernmental organizations are not forced to sacrifice their right to use their own funds to engage in free speech as a condition of eligibility for U.S. aid money. It also protects women's health by ensuring that these organizations can provide their patients with the comprehensive information they need to make appropriate decisions about their own care. 

The ACLU urges you to support S. 367. It will ensure that international family planning aid is offered in a manner that is consistent with American values and that organizations that provide critical health care services are not inappropriately disqualified from U.S. aid programs. 

Sincerely, 

Laura W. Murphy
Director 

Gregory T. Nojeim
Associate Director and Chief Legislative Counsel