NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

    WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - Pro-life House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday stalled negotiations over a foreign aid bill as they sought to extend restrictions on funding of international pro-abortion population control groups.

    Negotiators in a congressional conference committee were unable to reach agreement on a $12.6 billion foreign aid bill and a separate bill that would fund the US' $1 billion back dues to the United Nations. President Bill Clinton has threatened to veto the bills if they include any restrictions on abortion funding overseas.

    House negotiators said they were willing to drop language that would deny US funds to support organizations that lobby foreign governments to repeal abortion bans. But in return, they wanted to eliminate $25 million previously approved by both House and Senate for the United Nations' Population Fund. Senate negotiators refused the compromise and further discussions were postponed.

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