Contact: Colin Mason, Population Research Institute, 540-622-5240 ext. 209, pri@pop.org

FRONT ROYAL, Va., Feb. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- Population Research Institute has joined other pro-life groups in condemning amendments to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

PEPFAR is up for reauthorization on Thursday, February 14, 2008, in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. According to PRI's president Steven Mosher, the preliminary drafts have been compromised by amendments that put the money directly in the hands of known population controllers.

"It would be better if President Bush had never proposed PEPFAR, than to have 50 billion dollars hijacked by abortion-promoting, chastity-mocking, anti-people groups like IPPF, UNFPA, and the Chinese government," said Mosher. "If the amendments promoted by the Democrat majority are passed, a veto will be the President's only option."

These amendments include "family planning" language that does not exclude abortion, lifting important abortion restrictions imposed by the Mexico City Policy, a removal of the anti-prostitution pledge, and a full integration of family planning services with HIV aid services.

PRI urges pro-lifers everywhere to contact the members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and encourage them to vote against this bill. Information about this committee can be found at www.foreignaffairs.house.gov.

The Population Research Institute (PRI) was founded in 1989 by Fr. Paul Marx, OSB, PhD and is dedicated to: (1) ending human rights abuses committed in the name of "family planning," (2) opposing outdated social and economic paradigms premised on the myth of overpopulation, (3) informing the public about the social and economic benefits of moderate population growth, and (4) promoting pro-natal and pro-family attitudes and policies worldwide.