US House approves foreign aid; ignites abortion fight
Fri Jun 22, 2007
By Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON, June 22

(Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives ignored a White House veto threat and passed on Friday a foreign aid bill that would allow government donations of contraceptives to family planning groups outside the United States even though they engage in abortion activities.

By a vote of 223-201, the House voted to lift the prohibition in place since 2001. The move angered anti-abortion lawmakers who see it as a step toward loosening strict controls against using U.S. funds for abortions abroad.

The measure was attached to a $34.2 billion foreign aid bill for the fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1 that the House passed by a vote of 241-178. House Republicans say they have enough votes to uphold a possible veto by President George W. Bush.

The Senate has not yet debated the bill. the rest