The Mexico City Policy, also known as the Mexico City Gag Rule and the Global Gag Rule, is a United States government policy which requires all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive federal funding to refrain from performing or promoting abortion services in other countries. The policy has become something of a political flashpoint in the abortion debate, with Republican administrations adopting it and Democratic administrations rescinding it. The policy was in place from 1984 through January 1993, was reinstituted in January 2001, and was rescinded in January 2009. [1]wikipedia.
The Huffington Post wrote:
I look forward to working in the new Congress with the Obama Administration to finally repeal the "Global Gag Rule," as we pledged in the Democratic National Platform during the campaign. Few actions would benefit more people with less effort, or send a more dramatic signal to the world that America is prepared once again to be a leader for individual rights, personal dignity, and commonsense policy that saves lives. [2] HuffingtonPost.
lA Times wrote:
The rule prohibiting federal aid for international family planning groups, called the "Mexico City policy," was announced by President Reagan during a 1984 population conference in that city. Critics call it the "global gag rule" because it discourages family planning groups from discussing abortion.
The policy has been alternately revoked and reinstituted, depending on the party controlling the White House.
President Clinton rescinded the policy on Jan. 22, 1993, two days after he was sworn in and on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. President Bush reimposed the rule eight years later, also on the anniversary of the court decision. [3] LA Times.
cbsnews wrote:
The policy that the president plans to end bans taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups. In addition to keeping money from groups that offer abortions or provide abortion counseling or referrals, the so-called "global gag rule" keeps money from going to groups that talk about abortion following unplanned pregnancies.
The policy has been implemented by Republican administrations and then ended by Democratic administrations since its establishment by Ronald Reagan in 1984. In related news, an anti-abortion rights group has enlisted the new president in an ad advocating their position, despite the fact that Mr. Obama doesn't agree with it. [4]
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