With Debs, it is always about ‘The Children’.
Via CNS News
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) urged Secretary of State John Kerry this week to look into what she says is the misapplication of 42-year-old legislation that bans U.S. foreign aid from being spent on abortions.
“There has been, not on the part of the administration, but an issue surrounding the misinterpretation of the Helms Amendment that prohibits the use of funds ‘for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning,’” she told Kerry during a House Appropriations’ subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
“But it’s been incorrectly implemented, essentially to become a total ban on funding for abortion.”[…]
As Kerry offered to investigate the matter, Wasserman Schultz interjected to stress that the situation “predates this administration,” to which Kerry replied, “I’m not taking it personally, I assure you.”
“I remember this debate, you know, when I was up here,” added Kerry, alluding to his 28-year Senate career. “I just want to find out exactly, because I’m not – I haven’t been part of any conversation that has examined some shortfall in it, so let me find out …”
Earlier Kerry told Wasserman Schultz that the administration evaluates the situation “in every single country, in every program where we are.”[…]
Wasserman Schultz’ request to Kerry comes at a time when Planned Parenthood is pressing President Obama to change the way the amendment is implemented, arguing that it is being applied as a total ban on abortion, even in cases of incest, rape, and life endangerment.
“Ultimately, we must get rid of the Helms Amendment entirely, which will require congressional action,” Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards wrote in an op-ed last fall.