Foreign Relations Authorization Act: Office for Global Women’s Issues
House Committee: On May 20, 2009, the House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410). The bill contained a provision in Section 334 to establish an Office for Global Women’s Issues. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) offered an amendment to this section so that the new Office would not be used to promote abortion throughout the world. However, in a party line vote, the Smith Amendment was defeated, 17-yes, 22-no.
House Floor: On June 9, the House Rules Committee rejected a motion to put the detailed Smith Amendment in order during floor consideration of H.R. 2410, but approved for consideration an amendment with generic language restating the applicability of existing laws. On June 10, during floor consideration, the House approved the amendment with the generic language and passed H.R. 2410.
Senate: In the Senate, H.R. 2410 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. | |
