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In mid-December 2007, congressional Democrats dropped their demand that the 2008 foreign aid budget reverse President Bush's long-standing ban on assistance to overseas family planning groups that offer abortions.

Bush has enforced the policy since taking office in 2001; it was first applied by President Reagan in 1984. Democrats, who say the ban has caused severe contraception shortages, especially in poor rural areas, passed legislation to ease the restrictions. The House voted 223-201 in June to allow any overseas organization to obtain US-donated contraceptives. The Senate voted 53-41 to reverse the ban altogether and assist family planning groups regardless of whether they perform abortions. Despite Republican opposition, the provisions were included in the House and Senate foreign aid spending bills for fiscal 2008. But lacking the votes to override a promised presidential veto and anxious to finish the spending bill before Christmas, Democrats gave up the fight.

from the Associated Press