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H.R. 581 105th Congress House

Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding Restriction Act of 1997

Official title: To amend Public Law 104-208 to provide that the President may make funds appropriated for population planning and other population assistance available on Marc… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend Public Law 104-208 to provide that the President may make funds appropriated for population planning and other population assistance available on March 1, 1997, subject to restrictions on assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions.

Introduced: February 4, 1997 Introduced by: Christopher H. Smith Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs AbortionAmerican technical assistanceAppropriationsEconomics and Public Finance
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Government Operations and PoliticsHealthInternational agenciesLobbyingNongovernmental organizationsPopulation policySterilization (Birth control)
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 24, 1997
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 18.
Feb 13, 1997
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Feb 13, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 13, 1997
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 194 (Roll no. 23).
Feb 13, 1997
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 13, 1997
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.
Feb 13, 1997
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 581 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Feb 13, 1997
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 46. (consideration: CR H555-564)
Feb 13, 1997
Rule H. Res. 46 passed House.
Feb 11, 1997
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 46 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 581 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Feb 4, 1997
Referred to House International Relations
Feb 4, 1997
Introduced in House
Feb 4, 1997
Referred to House Appropriations
Feb 4, 1997
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 13, 1997 House · vote #23 On Passage Passed 231–194 See who voted →
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 Latest action February 24, 1997

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 18.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding Restriction Act of 1997 - Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997 to authorize the President to make certain population planning assistance to developing countries available on March 1, 1997 (currently, July 1, 1997).

Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds for population activities to any private, nongovernmental, or multilateral organization until it certifies that it does not now and will not during the period for which funds are made available: (1) directly or through a subcontractor or subgrantee perform abortions in any foreign country, except if the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of forcible rape or incest; or (2) violate the laws of a foreign country with respect to the circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or prohibited, or engage in lobbying activities in an effort to alter its laws with respect to abortion (except lobbying in opposition to coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization).

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 46 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 581) to amend Public Law 104-208 to provide that the President may make f…
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 581: Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding Restriction Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-581/
MLA
"H.R. 581: Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding Restriction Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-581/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 581, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-581/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 581: Family Planning Facilitation and Abortion Funding Restriction Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-581/)
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