WASHINGTON - Overturning another Bush administration policy through executive order, President Barack Obama has annulled a ban on sending US funds to groups that perform or promote abortion overseas.
An executive order signed by Obama Friday reverses the so-called ‘Mexico City policy,’ initiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, cancelled by President Bill Clinton and reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001.
The order comes the day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalising abortion in the United States.
The policy, referred to by critics as ‘the global gag rule,’ was initially announced at a population conference in Mexico City.
The policy says that any organization receiving US family planning funds from the US Agency for International Development cannot offer abortions or abortion counselling.
Reversing the previous administrations’ stance on the policy was one of Clinton’s first acts as president in January 1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush Jan 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush’s move a ‘legislative ambush.’
He defended his action, saying: ‘It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion.’
The group Population Action International praised Obama’s move, saying in a statement that it will ’save women’s lives around the world.’
‘Family planning should not be a political issue; it’s about basic health care and well-being for women and children,’ the group said.
But Republican lawmakers were critical of the new president’s action. ‘Not even waiting a week, the new administration has acted to funnel US tax dollars to abortion providers overseas,’ said Representative Tom Price.
‘This is a stunning reversal of course from the president’s campaign statements that he hoped to reduce the number of abortions,’ he said.
‘Just a day after thousands of Americans came to Washington to celebrate the principle of life, President Obama has made it clear that reducing abortions is not one of his priorities.’
Obama has always said he supports a woman’s right to choose but has advocated better education and wider availability of contraception to reduce the number of abortions through decreasing the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Related News
Obama says violence not answer, calls shooting of anti-abortion activist 'deplorable'September 13th, 2009 Obama deplores shooting of anti-abortion activistWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is calling the shooting of a Michigan anti-abortion activist "deplorable."
The White House on Sunday released a statement from the president on the shooting of James Pouillon. Obama says that "whichever side of a public debate you're on, violence is never the right answer."
The two-sentence statement comes after a Friday shooting spree that left Pouillon and business owner Mike Fuoss dead in the small Michigan city of Owosso.
Democratic abortion opponents say House bill could allow for govt money to end pregnanciesJuly 21st, 2009 Abortion is latest controversy in health overhaulWASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers opposed to federal funding for abortions said Tuesday the House leadership's health care bill contains a "hidden mandate" that would allow taxpayer dollars to be used to end pregnancies. It's the latest controversy to hit the health care overhaul in a week that has seen Republicans sharpen their attacks and some Democrats start to waver on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
Senator fails to get Sotomayor to offer additional views on abortionJuly 15th, 2009 Sotomayor refers to precedent on abortionWASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is shedding no additional light on her views on abortion, despite persistent questioning from one of the Senate's staunchest abortion opponents. Sotomayor referred to Supreme Court cases establishing that women have a constitutional right to abortions in some circumstances and that the high court must consider whether state regulations pose an undue burden on that right.
House passes $48.8 billion foreign aid bill after rebuke of Obama on IMF fundingJuly 10th, 2009 House passes $48.8 billion foreign aid billWASHINGTON — A $48.8 billion measure funding foreign aid and the State Department budget has passed the House after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to force U.S. officials to oppose International Monetary Fund loans to countries that support terrorism.
Senate panel permanently reverses ban on aid to overseas groups that perform abortionsJuly 9th, 2009 Panel backs aid to groups that perform abortionsWASHINGTON — Democrats on a key Senate panel voted Thursday to permanently reverse a policy in effect under recent Republican administrations that banned giving U.S. taxpayer money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information.
House passes bill to boost food stamp spending as record numbers need assistanceJuly 9th, 2009 House passes bill to boost food stamp spendingWASHINGTON — With rising unemployment forcing millions of additional people onto food stamps, the House on Tuesday passed a bill to boost the program's budget by 14 percent. The Agriculture Department announced this week that a record 33.8 million people — or 1 in 9 Americans — were participating in the food stamp program as of April.
Laura Bush glad Obama picked woman for Supreme Court, says Sotomayor 'sounds like a winner'June 8th, 2009 Laura Bush glad Obama picked woman for high courtWASHINGTON — Former first lady Laura Bush says she's pleased that President Barack Obama nominated a woman for the Supreme Court. "I think she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee," Bush said of Sonia Sotomayor, the federal appeals judge Obama picked.
Obama decries violence, says killing of Tiller 'heinous' actJune 1st, 2009 Obama: Tiller death 'heinous'WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is shocked and outraged over the killing of an abortion provider at a Kansas church. Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed Sunday morning while he was serving as an usher at a church in Wichita, Kan.
Activist urges anti-abortion leaders not to flinch after abortion doctor's deathJune 1st, 2009 Doctor's murder won't stop anti-abortion activistWASHINGTON — Anti-abortion activist Randall Terry says his movement should not tone down its rhetoric despite the killing of abortion doctor George Tiller. Terry says Tiller's murder by a gunman during church services on Sunday poses a problem for abortion opponents who might feel pressure not to use highly charged language and tactics.
Obama wades into abortion debate with graduation speechMay 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama Sunday acknowledged the hot-button issue of abortion, as he addressed graduates at the University of Notre Dame, stressing that both sides could work together to help women facing unplanned pregnancies. The appearance by the Democratic president, who supports access to abortion, has sparked high-profile protests at the Catholic university and from pro-life advocates around the country for the past several weeks.
Vermont Democrats call on Obama administration over stance on prosecuting former Bush aidesMay 10th, 2009 Vt. Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.
Obama defends support for abortion rights, says issue both moral and ethicalApril 30th, 2009 Obama defends support for abortion rightsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says abortion is both a moral and ethical issue, and abortion rights backers make a mistake when they consider it solely a matter of women's freedom. Obama told a prime-time news conference Wednesday that he supports abortion rights because he thinks a woman is in a better position to make a very personal choice than a member of Congress or the president.
In inaugural speech, Obama thanks BushJanuary 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama in his inaugural speech thanked his predecessor Goerge W. Bush for 'generocity throughout this transition'.
167 miners trapped underground in South AfricaJanuary 18th, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - A lightning strike on an electric transformer knocked out power to a goldmine, leaving 167 miners trapped 2,200 metres underground Sunday, a spokesman for the mine said. The miners in the Blyvooruitzicht goldmine near the village of Carletonville have been underground for 24 hours, the spokesman said, adding that power has been restored to the mine but lifts had first to be connected and tested.
Bush to host Obama, former presidents at White House lunchJanuary 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush will host former presidents and his successor, Barack Obama, at the White House for a private meeting during lunch Wednesday, the White House said.
Loading ...