Republican lawmakers are urging U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to use the United States’ veto power against the nomination of former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet as the next United Nations Secretary-General, according to a letter led by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on March 27.
The request highlights concerns among some members of Congress about Bachelet’s record on abortion and her positions in international organizations. Lawmakers say her previous actions show she may not respect state sovereignty or pro-life laws in the United States.
Smith and his colleagues wrote that Bachelet’s “resume reveals a pro-abortion zealot intent on using political authority to override state sovereignty in favor of extreme agendas.” The letter points out that she has “both overtly attacked pro-life laws — including those of the United States — and sought to weaken them through intimidation and coercion.”
Bachelet previously served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Executive Director of UN Women, where she made statements such as calling restrictive abortion laws a threat to human rights, according to LifeSiteNews. She also condemned the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, describing it as “a huge blow to women’s human rights.” Lawmakers argue that by “using her office to attack United States pro-life law,” Bachelet demonstrated she cannot be trusted with affirming America’s right “to enforce pro-life laws and policies.” They stated: “The truth is that killing an unborn child by abortion can never be construed to be a human right. Every person — born and unborn—deserves to have his or her human rights secured and protected.”
Smith is currently serving in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th district after replacing Frank Thompson in 1981 according to official records. He has held this position since then according to House records. Smith was born in Rahway, New Jersey, in 1953, is now 70 years old, and lives in Manchester Township as reported by NJ.com. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 according to The College of New Jersey.
Observers note that this debate comes at a time when Chile recently elected conservative Catholic President José Kast amid political shifts across Latin America.
