The Republican consensus to prevent First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton from attending the U.N.’s Fourth World Conference on Women is just an excuse for another political agenda.

The conference, to be held Sept. 4-15 in Beijing, China,, will center the world’s attention on women’s issues. The 180 attending governments will also be expected to make commitments toward ending discrimination, sexual abuse and violence against women.

But citing China’s past human rights abuses, and the recent detainment of activist Harry Wu, there has been great reluctance to give a green light for the First Lady’s participation in Beijing.

However, these issues detract from what value the conference really has. The conference, a major event aimed at improving the second-class status of women, shouldn’t be viewed as a bargaining chip that can further American and Chinese relations. Instead, it should be seen for what it really is, a chance to further strive for equal opportunity.

The U.S., a leading progressive voice of women’s rights, can make a significant impact by attending this conference. The influence that it can wield is immeasurable. Nonetheless, the Republican party’s reluctance to send Clinton with their blessing, instead is sending an ugly message — strategic politics mean more than eliminating reprehensible inequality.

Indeed, although China’s human rights abuses and Wu’s detainment will need to be dealt with, now is not the time. The decision to attend this conference should have little to do with two countries merely caught in a political squabble. Given the golden opportunity to make a difference on some key issues, the U.S. should take it, and not further impede long overdue progress.