Spicer On Abortion ‘Gag Rule’: Trump Has Made Clear He’s ‘Pro

The policy, enacted again today through Executive action, prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations from receiving any USA foreign assistance for family planning if they provide information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or lobby for abortion. Essentially, the policy forces organizations to choose between either accepting crucial federal funds and be prohibited from providing abortion services or counseling, or refusing the funds and finding alternative sources of funding to continue to provide a range of health services, including abortion-related programs.

The order does provide exceptions in cases of rape, incest or life-threatening conditions. Although we are unable to draw definitive conclusions about the underlying cause of this increase, the complex interrelationships between family planning services and abortion may be involved. The rule, first put in place by President Reagan in 1984, was brought back by both Presidents Bush.

Democratic President Bill Clinton nixed it.

Only 8 percent of Republicans backed overturning the limits as did just 33 percent of the independent voters surveyed – with opposition higher about this action than any other Obama has taken a president. It was last revoked by President Barack Obama in 2009. And now, Trump has reinstated it as part of what critics fear will be a broad effort to undermine reproductive rights at home and overseas. In addition, enforcement of the policy drastically curtailed community-based outreach activities and the flow and availability of contraceptive supplies. While that defunding legislation concerns the domestic-based Planned Parenthood abortion corporation, President Trump has the ability to put in place an executive order that would revoke funding for its worldwide affiliate.

Opponents call it a violation of free speech, a disservice to potential patients and a policy that in fact harms safety by forcing overseas groups to turn down funds or deny information. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, cited polls that showed a majority of Americans did not support the use of tax dollars for abortion services.

To be clear, it is already illegal for US aid to directly fund abortions overseas. “Either choice hurts the women that rely on them”. The Helms Amendment has prevented us funding for overseas abortions since 1973.

Women in the United States are already affected by a similar policy, the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal funds to be used for abortion services.

The Guttmacher Institute, an organization that seeks to promote women’s reproductive rights in the U.S. and overseas, estimates that more than $600 million in USA funding for family planning reached 27 million women worldwide in 2016. “These violations of women’s rights can not stand”.