In 2023, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., accused Biden of “hijacking” a successful AIDS relief program to advance an international abortion agenda. Smith’s accusations were centered on PEPFAR, a funding program under USAID that had already allocated around $100 billion toward combating AIDS globally, ultimately saving 25 million lives and preventing millions of infections. According to Smith, two organizations, Population Services International (PSI) and Village Reach, had each received significant amounts of funding from PEPFAR under Biden’s leadership. Smith highlighted that both groups had a history of advocating for abortion rights.
“PSI openly declares its support for abortion and actively campaigns for the elimination of pro-life laws,” Smith mentioned. “PSI offers comprehensive abortion services as well as post-abortion care in nearly 20 countries worldwide.” Smith further alleged that Village Reach utilized PEPFAR funds to promote abortion in Malawi and lobby for changes in pro-life legislation. Additionally, they assisted Malawi in establishing a government-funded hotline that provided information and referrals related to ‘sexual and reproductive health,’ including abortion services.
Another organization, Pathfinder International, received $5 million in PEPFAR funding during the 2021-2023 period. Smith pointed out that Pathfinder International lobbied to weaken or eliminate pro-life laws globally and explicitly promoted abortion in various countries, expressing a commitment to expanding access to safe abortion services.
The policies regarding funding for abortions abroad underwent reversals under both Presidents Trump and Biden. In December, Biden’s administration was accused of exerting pressure on Sierra Leone to adopt more lenient abortion policies in exchange for foreign aid. A report from the Daily Signal indicated that The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government-run funding entity, was allegedly threatening to withhold hundreds of millions in foreign assistance unless Sierra Leone adjusted its policies. The MCC CEO, Alice Albright, concluded an agreement with Sierra Leone’s finance minister, Sheku Bangura, which outlined conditions for receiving $480 million in foreign aid, contingent upon upholding stringent standards of good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and democratic principles.
Following these developments, footage emerged on social media depicting fervent pro-life demonstrators inside Sierra Leone’s parliament, protesting while lawmakers deliberated on legislation concerning more permissive abortion provisions. The MCC denied any involvement in influencing Sierra Leone’s abortion policies, emphasizing that such decisions were internal matters for the country, with no U.S. government funding being contingent on specific legislative outcomes.
This detailed account sheds light on the complex interplay between international aid, public health initiatives, and contentious reproductive rights issues, showcasing the intricate dynamics at play within the realm of global health policy and diplomacy.
