Congress this week voted to eliminate funding for the United Nations Children's Fund — an organization that has been proven to save lives — including my own.

So when a smart friend pointed out the UNICEF provision to me ahead of a Senate vote on the bill, I decided to question Republican senators about it. What, I asked them, is objectionable about an organization dedicated to helping children? Is there something they could point to as an example of wasteful spending at UNICEF specifically, and not just USAID?

They had no good answers. Instead, I heard a lot of stock GOP talking points about funding for transgender operas and sex workers — none of which is supported by the work of UNICEF, which, again, is focused on helping kids.