Though it's unclear what policy consequences it would have, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's proposal would complicate terminology in agreements with the United Nations and other countries regarding public health. | AP Photo/Andrew Harnik Congress Democratic lawmakers warn Pompeo against possible ban on sex health terminology

Several Democratic members of Congress are warning Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to not move forward with a possible ban on State Department employees using terms like “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education”.

The lawmakers — Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) — argue in a letter sent Wednesday to Pompeo that banning State Department employees from using those terms would be regressive for U.S. global health programs. The letter comes after POLITICO reported that conservative political appointees in the Trump administration were pushing for the proposal two weeks ago.


"To suppress such language is to signal to the world that the U.S. deems ideology more important than facts in determining America's foreign policy priorities," the letter said. "That is particularly alarming with respect to global health, as U.S. leadership and global health assistance have helped save millions of lives and protect Americans from infectious threats."

The letter is an example of the increased legislative oversight Pompeo will likely face now that Democrats have taken control of the House. Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Pompeo during a meeting Tuesday that he would prioritize oversight if he secures the chairmanship post in the next Congress.

The State Department's nascent proposal reflects the Trump administration's pullback from programs advancing women's reproductive health, especially regarding abortion. Though it's unclear what policy consequences it would have, the proposal would complicate terminology in agreements with the United Nations and other countries regarding public health. The policy could also complicate dealings with non-governmental organizations that continue to use the terms.

Alternative terms haven't been solidified, but POLITICO reported two weeks ago that they would likely exclude the word "sex."

The State Department has already curated its content in its annual human rights reports by removing language related to women's access to abortion and contraception. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump also moved to reinstate the "Mexico City policy", which banned U.S. aid to foreign groups that provide abortions.

When he served as a Kansas congressman, Pompeo repeatedly voiced opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, and he has continued to hold those positions during his time at the State Department.

But aside from ideological differences, the change in nomenclature would deviate from global health standards, the letter argued. It cited leading health organizations in asserting the necessity for sex education in basic health knowledge and noted the World Health Organization uses and defines the term "sexual and reproductive health."

The lawmakers said they fear suppressing straightforward terminology would complicate and hinder access to healthcare related to HIV and contraception while also preventing an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

"We urge you to reject any policy that censors American diplomats, undermines global health, and threatens the tremendous progress that has been shepherded by U.S. global health assistance," the letter said.

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