WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement condemning the United Nations for plans to increase access to abortions under the cover of their COVID-19 coronavirus response. John Barsa, Acting Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently sent a letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging the UN to focus on life-saving interventions.

"I applaud USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa for standing strong for unborn children around the world in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mr. Barsa condemned the UN and Global HRP for advancing access to abortion as an “essential service.” The UN is shamefully using funds meant to protect people from this deadly virus to advance a liberal agenda. I echo President Trump’s message to the UN that we will never tire of defending innocent life. One of the greatest tragedies of our time has been the preventable deaths of millions of aborted children every year.

"As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have invested nearly four decades of tireless service to ensure that pro-life provisions remain rock solid, successfully fighting back against efforts that would chip away provisions in our bills that are essential to protecting the unborn. Not only have these protections been maintained year-after-year, but all efforts to roll back the President’s pro-life initiatives have been rejected. Protecting the sanctity of life always has been and will remain my top priority.

"In fact, earlier this year, I received the highest rating on the National Pro-Life Scorecard from the Susan B. Anthony pro-life organization for my continuous support of pro-life legislation, like the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, the Sanctity of Human Life Act, and other critical congressional action that protects the innocent lives of the unborn."

For more information about Congressman Rogers' support of pro-life legislation, visit halrogers.house.gov.