Just Another Day in Washington: Clinton Breaks "Political Sound Barrier" on Global Health Aid

By Christine Cupaiuolo • April 24, 2009

Please note: This entry -- originally posted at Our Bodies, Our Blog -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday, during her first congressional testimony since her confirmation hearing, broke "the political sound barrier," writes Jodi Jacobson at RH Reality Check.

The moment came during questioning by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). When Smith asked whether the Obama administration would seek to "overturn pro-life laws" in Africa and Latin America, Clinton replied:

We have a very fundamental disagreement and it is my strongly held view that you are entitled to advocate and everyone who agrees with you should be free to do so anywhere in the world, and so are we.

We [the Obama Administration] happen[s] to think that family planning is an important part of women's health and reproductive health includes access to abortion, that I believe should be safe, legal and rare.

Here's Clinton on the U.S. government's role in supporting global access to safe abortion, contraception, maternal health care and education:

3 Responses

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[email protected] on Apr 25, 2009

I will always say she should have been our president!

Jen on Apr 26, 2009

I second that. She is truly amazing.

Liz on Apr 27, 2009

I'll third that.

Very well spoken, Hilary. The word "rare" was a nice addition.