The Global Gag Rule: Endangering Women's Health and Democracy
On January 22, 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush re-imposed restrictions known as the "Global Gag Rule" (or the "Mexico City Policy"). This policy restricts foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning funds from using their own, non-U.S. funds to provide legal abortion services, lobby their own governments for abortion law reform, or even provide accurate medical counseling or referrals regarding abortion. On April 5, 2005, the Senate passed an amendment that would repeal the Global Gag Rule on international family planning assistance by a vote of 52-46.