Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The House of Representatives on Thursday voted against restoring $34 million in taxpayer funding for the United National Population Fund because lawmakers say it is still involved in supporting and promoting China's coercive population control policies.

On a 233-192 vote, the House rejected the attempt by pro-abortion lawmakers to attach an amendment to a State Department appropriations bill that would have sent the public funds to the UNFPA.

New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, a Republican, was one of the leading opponents of the amendment.

"Despite being admonished to do otherwise on countless occasions, the UNFPA continues to be the chief apologist and enabler for past and ongoing crimes against humanity," Smith said. "Let's not forget or be naпve about the fact that in China today, brothers and sisters are illegal and children can only be born if, and only if, permission is granted by the state."

Smith indicated the amendment would have made it so no U.S. laws would apply to UNFPA funding, including laws making sure the foreign groups like the UNFPA itself don't engage in forced abortions or pay for or perform abortions.

The Bush administration has sent two investigative teams into China to determine if the UNFPA has any role in promoting the one-child Chinese policy that has resulted in forced abortions and sterilizations and jail sentences for those who break the law.

After one of the investigations, Secretary of State Colin Powell wrote, "I determined that UNFPA's support of, and involvement in, China's population-planning activities allowed the Chinese government to implement more effectively its program of coercive abortion."

A leading watchdog on Chinese population control issues applauded the vote.

"As long as the UNFPA subsidizes China's coercive one-child policy in which Chinese women are limited to having one or two children, U.S. funding should not even be considered for this agency," Steven Mosher, head of the Population Research Institute, said.

Mosher said other sanctions imposed against violators of the policy include heavy fines, loss of employment, and threats and intimidation for families for those who exceed their child quota.

"If UNFPA wants U.S. funding, it must cease aiding human rights abuses in China," said Mosher. "At a time when the United States is promoting vigorously human rights around the world, it's not a positive step to overturn the U.S. law that tries to keep American money out of coercing Third World women."

Related web sites:
Population Research Institute – http://www.pop.org