Coming to our senses on the Global Gag Rule

Yesterday the Senate voted 53-41 to repeal the Global Gag Rule, one of the most destructive reproductive rights policies in history. The rule mandates that no foreign NGO receiving USAID funding may perform abortions, provide referrals to doctors who perform abortions, advocating pro-choice legislation, or even opposing anti-choice legislation. In essence, this law enables the US to restrict the reproductive and privacy rights of women, not even American citizens, all over the world. Not to mention, for a government espousing the values of democracy and free speech, the blatant censorship of the Global Gag Rule is a pinnacle of hypocrisy.

The rule isn't dead yet, though. It still has the clear the House and win the President's signature as part of $34 billion aid package. President Bush, predictably, has threatened to veto the entire bill over the Global Gag Rule. Unfortunately, the Senate is highly unlikely to overrule a veto if Bush follows through on his threat.

Only one Democrat, Nebraska's Ben Nelson, voted against the repeal. Four Republicans, Olympia Snowe, Gordon Smith, Ted Stevens, and Arlan Specter, broke ranks and voted for the repeal. All but Specter are in tight races in 2008.