This was a vote to recede from a previous disagreement with the Senate and agree to provide $15 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA provides international family planning and maternal and child assistance to more than 120 developing countries. The President's objection to appropriating funds for UNFPA stemmed from allegations that UNFPA supports programs in China involving coerced abortions and involuntary sterilizations. Consequently, the bill specifically stated that no U.S. funds would support programs in China.

Environmentalists find a consistent link between overpopulation and destruction of the environment. Overpopulation creates a strain on water and land resources, and contributes directly to the problems of pollution and solid waste. On November 14, 1989, the House voted to appropriate the $15 million by a margin of 244-178. Yes is the pro-environment vote. After the threat of another Presidential veto, this provision was dropped to permit other important features of the bill to move forward.