Clinton Threatens Veto Of U.N.-Abortion Bill

Senate OKs nearly $1 billion in back U.N. dues, but with conditions

By Eileen O'Connor/CNN

WASHINGTON (April 28) -- President Bill Clinton vows to veto a bill passed by the Senate Tuesday that links the authorization of State Department funds to a ban on U.S. aid to international family planning organizations who support abortion, even if those organizations use their own funds.

In a letter to the congressional leadership, Clinton said the controversy over the funding of international family planning programs should be "settled on its own merits -- and not used to sidetrack other legislation on matters vital to our nation's well-being."

On a 51-49 vote, the Senate joined with the House in approving the State Department funding legislation, which includes nearly $1 billion in back United Nation dues and the abortion provision.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Barry Toiv says attachment of the abortion provision to both the House and Senate versions of the State Department authorization bill means the president "has no choice but to veto the bill."

In his letter, Clinton asked Congress to include funding for both the International Monetary Fund [IMF] and the past U.N. dues in a supplemental funding bill still in conference.

"Delay or failure to approve the full IMF requests could undermine our capacity to deal with threats to world economic stability and could leave us unable to protect American workers, farmers and businesses in the event of an escalation or spread of the Asian financial crisis or new crisis," the president wrote.

Concerning payment of the U.N. arrears, Clinton argued, "The failure to provide the full request in this bill could jeopardize our chance to affect negotiations starting in May on lowering U.S. dues and would undermine U.S. leadership in the international community."

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott warned against a veto, saying the Senate-approved measure might be Clinton's only chance to get the U.N. money. A veto "would be a big mistake for our foreign policy apparatus," Lott said.

The supplemental bill would actually appropriate the funds, putting them into the "pipeline," while the State Department bill authorizes the actual spending.

Tuesday, April 28, 1998

• Senate Panel Hears Stories Of Alleged IRS Abuses
• Gloria Allred Wants To File Brief In Jones Case
• Senate Weighs In On Year 2000 Problem
• Social Security, Medicare Buoyed By Strong Economy
• Clinton Threatens Veto Of U.N.-Abortion Bill
• Gingrich, Waxman Clash Over Finance Hearings
• Some Lawmakers Want To Go Slow On NATO Expansion
• Special Prosecutors Examine Lewinsky's Finances
• Gingrich Seeks To Break Campaign Finance Investigation Deadlock