Population Action International (PAI) today condemned the Bush Administration’s decision to deny funding to UNFPA—the United Nations Population Fund for the fourth consecutive year.

1. NEWS
For Immediate Release: Contact: Tawana Jacobs, 202-557-3422,
tjacobs@popact.org
Population Action International Condemns President Bush’s Decision to Withhold
U.S. Funding from the UN Population Fund for Fourth Consecutive Year
Washington, DC (September 16, 2005)—Population Action International (PAI) today condemned
the Bush Administration’s decision to deny funding to UNFPA—the United Nations Population
Fund for the fourth consecutive year.
“I am dismayed, but not surprised,” said Amy Coen, President of PAI. “Having just spent the past
few days monitoring the 2005 World Summit where world leaders have met to gauge progress
toward the Millennium Development Goals—that include reducing world hunger and poverty and
stemming the spread of AIDS by 2015—it makes me angry that the Bush Administration would
again de-fund an organization that is so vital in the quest to achieve success.”
Yesterday’s decision comes much later than expected. Traditionally, the Bush Administration has
come forward with a decision by mid-July. No official explanation has been provided for the
delayed decision that will cost UNFPA $25 million in U.S. funding for fiscal year 2005. In total, the
Fund has lost $136 million in contributions appropriated by Congress since the Bush Administration
first cut off the money for the organization in July 2002.
Continued Coen, “By unjustifiably invoking the Kemp-Kasten Amendment again and parting ways
with the U.S. Congress, who approved funding for UNFPA in fiscal year 2005, the president
continues his pattern of saying one thing and doing another.”
According to Terri Bartlett, Vice President of Public Policy at PAI, “Domestic politics have, once
again, affected an international policy decision. The world’s women — and their families — will
continue to live without much needed assistance just so the president can satisfy those in the most
extreme wing of his political party.”
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PAI seeks to increase political and financial support for effective population policies and programs grounded in individual
rights. PAI advocates the expansion of voluntary family planning and related health services, and of educational and
economic opportunities for women. PAI is a private, non-profit organization and accepts no government funds.