WASHINGTON, D.C., May 26, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – House Republicans are introducing legislation to cut federal money to a United Nations population control agency after online voters selected it on the GOP’s You-Cut site.
The GOP intends to cut federal funds spent toward the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which the GOP says will save taxpayers $400 million over ten years.
You-Cut is a weekly program sponsored by GOP House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.) in which several federal programs are selected for cutting, and online voters decide which one to pick.
Individuals can track the progress of legislation selected to be cut on the website
.
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) is sponsoring the bill, and said cutting the program was a part of the GOP’s commitment to reining in wasteful spending by the federal government. She also noted that UNFPA has been a key partner in enforcing China’s one-child policy.
“This program, which is receiving funding from the Obama Administration, but was not funded under the Reagan or George W. Bush Administrations, raises many concerns over potential funding for abortions and forced sterilizations in countries such as China,” said Ellmers.
“I look forward to working to push defunding of this program through the House and hopefully getting the bill to the floor for a vote,” she added.
President Barack Obama and Congress restored funding to UNFPA in 2009 to the tune of $55 million. House Republicans negotiated the amount down to $40 million for FY 2011 continuing resolution.
However President Obama has requested $47 million for UNFPA in his 2012 budget.