How does Congress approach population and family planning issues? : results of qualitative interviews with legislative directors

Congressional Opinions On Issues Related To Population Are Highly Polarized. Approximately 90 Percent Of Congress Consistently Votes Either Uniformly To Support Or Uniformly To Oppose Population-related Legislation--so The Remaining 10 Percent Is Likely To Determine The Fate Of Such Initiatives. To Determine How This Critical Group Makes Its Decisions, Researchers Interviewed A Sample Of Legislative Directors (chosen As Proxies, To Allow In-depth Interviews). Most Respondents Felt That The United States Should Continue To Play A Leading Role Internationally, But Several Also Stressed That Their Members Of Congress Favor Increased Emphasis On Multilateral Approaches. A Majority Felt That World Population Growth Is A Problem But Is Not Urgent. Nearly Unanimous Support Was Expressed For U.s. Support Of Voluntary Family Planning When It Is Understood To Exclude Abortion. Congress Would Benefit From Research-based, Factual Information On A Variety Of International Population Issues. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. Approach -- Ch. 3. Findings -- The Role Of The United States In Global Affairs -- The United States As World Leader -- The Role Of Aid In U.s. Foreign Policy -- Acceptance Of Global Partnerships -- Congressional Views On Specific Population Topics -- The U.s. Role In Providing International Development Assistance -- World Population Growth And International Immigration -- Connections Between World Population Growth And U.s. Political Interests -- The Concept Of Unmet Need For Contraception -- The Macrodemographic Issue: Population Momentum -- The U.s. Role In Providing International Family Planning Assistance -- Population Growth And Family Planning Programs -- World Population Growth Not A Compelling Problem -- Interest In International Population Programs -- U.s. Role In Addressing World Population Growth -- Support For Voluntary Family Planning Programs -- Awareness Of Constituent Opinion -- Abortion As A Factor In Tempering Support -- Family Planning Assistance For Americans -- Attitude Formation And Information Sources -- Sources Of Influence And Information -- Desired Types Of Information And Modes Of Presentation -- Ch. 4. Conclusions: Implications For Congressional Information Needs -- Appendix: Questions Asked In Qualitative Interviews With Legislative Directors. Sally Patterson, David M. Adamson. Supported By The William And Flora Hewlett Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, United Nations Population Fund. Includes Bibliographical References (p.35-36).