Senate Repeals the Global Gag Rule

September 10, 2007—Last week the U.S. Senate voted to revoke the “Global Gag Rule,” which has severely limited the capacity of organizations worldwide to provide family planning. The repeal, which came through an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 foreign aid bill by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), passed 53-41.

According to the Global Gag Rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy) international organizations receiving U.S. family planning assistance cannot use their own funds to provide abortion, counsel or refer for abortion, or lobby for the legalization of abortion in their country. Organizations that do not comply lose funding and also forfeit U.S. donations of essential contraceptive supplies, including condoms. The policy was first established by President Ronald Reagan, was rescinded by President William Clinton, and was reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001.

Since its reinstatement, many organizations have been unable to comply with the policy and have lost critical U.S. support. Subsequently, many women in developing countries are denied access to life-saving contraception and condoms and face increased risk of maternal mortality and morbidity.

While the vote is a landmark victory in safeguarding the health of women and families in developing countries, it may be short-lived: President Bush has threatened to veto any bill that refutes the existing policy.

For more information on the foreign aid bill and the Boxer-Snowe amendment, see this Associated Press article.