During the election season, many conservatives worried about how sincere Donald Trump, a longtime supporter of legal abortion and Planned Parenthood, was in his promises to promote pro-life policies. The President’s first move on the issue ought to reassure them.
President Trump signed an executive order Monday morning reinstating the so-called “Mexico City Policy,” which prevents federal money from going to international groups that either perform abortions or lobby foreign governments to legalize abortion.
The policy, which was originally signed by Ronald Reagan, has been rescinded by each Democratic president and reinstated by each Republican president since.
Barack Obama revoked the Mexico City Policy in January 2009, less than a week after taking office. Trump followed suit, reinstating the policy six days after his inauguration.
The executive order is consistent with GOP doctrine on foreign aid, and pro-life activists praised the President’s action.
“Americans shouldn’t be forced to export abortions with their tax dollars,” wrote Steven Mosher of the Population Research Institute. “We want to support those who do good around the world, not those who promote, perform, and lobby for the legalization of abortion in countries whose peoples are overwhelmingly pro-life.”
Two of the most strongly affected organizations will be The International Planned Parenthood Foundation and Marie Stopes International, which CNS News reported will not change their policies to become eligible for federal funding. International Planned Parenthood received $100 million in U.S. aid last year; Marie Stopes International received $30 million.
“We will work with governments and donors to bridge the funding and service gaps the Global Gag Rule creates,” IPPF said in a statement on their website. “We will ensure that women can exercise their rights and access safe abortion and family planning.”
The executive order came alongside one declaring a federal hiring freeze except in military positions and one pulling the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
