H.R. 5302: No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act

This bill, known as the "No Funds for Foreign Abortions Act," aims to prohibit the United States from providing financial support to foreign governments and organizations that either perform abortions or promote abortion services. Here are the key elements of the bill:

Funding Prohibitions

• Foreign Governments: U.S. funds cannot be given to any foreign government that provided resources for abortions or promoted abortion services in the previous fiscal year. This includes:
  • Performing abortions.
  • Funding programs that provide referrals for abortions or actively promote abortion services.
  • Funding biomedical research related to abortion or methods to procure abortions.
  • Coercing individuals with financial incentives to undergo abortions or involuntary sterilizations.
• Nongovernmental Organizations: Similarly, no funds can be given to international or multilateral organizations that engage in similar activities regarding abortions. This includes:
  • Performing or referring for abortions.
  • Promoting abortions.
  • Furnishing items intended for abortions.

Compliance and Monitoring

The Secretary of State must certify that recipient organizations comply with these prohibitions as a condition of fund allocation. Monitoring systems will be established to ensure adherence, and any violations detected will lead to punitive actions including:

• Termination of funding.
• Requirements for repayment of misused funds.
• Ineligibility for future assistance for a designated period.
• Possible referral for criminal or civil prosecution if fraud or misuse is evident.

Specific Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions of terms such as:

• Abortion: Defined as the use of any means to terminate a pregnancy intentionally.
• Active Promotion: Activities that advocate for abortion or influence policies to increase access.
• Foreign Nongovernmental Organizations: Entities not organized under U.S. laws but operating internationally.

Exceptions

Abortions resulting from rape or incest are exceptions to the prohibitions outlined, provided that appropriate documentation is furnished to support the claim.

Record Keeping and Duration

The Secretary of State is required to maintain records related to compliance for at least ten years, ensuring these documents are available upon request from congressional committees.

Non-Supersession and Severability

The bill includes clauses that ensure it is not easily overridden by future amendments unless explicitly stated. It also maintains that if any part of the bill is found invalid, the remainder remains effective.

Relevant Companies

None found.