WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Nita M. Lowey, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations; Rep. Barbara Lee; Rep. Jan Schakowsky; and Rep. Lois Frankel today denounced new proposed policies at the State Department that would censor discussion of women’s health. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Members expressed outrage at new reports that the Administration is considering banning American diplomats from using terms including “sexual and reproductive health.”

“We urge you to reject any policy that censors American diplomats, undermines global health, and threatens the tremendous progress that has been shepherded by U.S. global health assistance,” the Members wrote.

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary Pompeo,

We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports that the Department of State is considering barring United States diplomats from using the terms “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education,” while also adopting new and regressive positions concerning the health and wellbeing of women and families.

We strongly object to such censorship and, if these reports are true, urge you to reject such proposals.

To suppress such language is to signal to the world that the U.S. deems ideology more important than facts in determining America’s foreign policy priorities. That is particularly alarming with respect to global health, as U.S. leadership and global health assistance have helped save millions of lives and protect Americans from infectious threats.

Failure to promote evidence-based programming and policies in unambiguous language will threaten the progress that has been made. A prohibition of the phrase “sexual and reproductive health,” for example, would add significantly to the obstacles that many already face in accessing essential health services, including contraception and testing and treatment for HIV. It would further isolate the U.S. from other donor governments and hinder our ability to leverage investments from others to extend the reach and impact of our global health programs. Such a step would also jeopardize the efficient and effective use of American taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, the health and wellbeing of those served by U.S. foreign assistance – especially women and girls.

Prohibiting the terms “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education” would also contradict well-established science and standards of medical care. “Sexual and reproductive health” is clearly defined by the World Health Organization, which has long set standards of care for providers worldwide with the input of United Nations member states. Similarly, the 2016 Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing referred to comprehensive sexuality education as “essential knowledge for health,”[1] while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Adolescent Health Care found that “[studies] have demonstrated that comprehensive sexuality education programs reduce the rates of sexual activity, sexual risk behaviors…sexually transmitted infections, and adolescent pregnancy.”[2] To reject these findings is to reject the expertise and consensus of respected health care authorities.

We urge you to reject any policy that censors American diplomats, undermines global health, and threatens the tremendous progress that has been shepherded by U.S. global health assistance. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

# # #