Advocacy Alert: Speak out against the expanded global gag rule 

The Trump administration has dramatically expanded the global gag rule for the first time to apply to all non-military U.S. foreign assistance—not just global health funding. This includes humanitarian aid, disaster response, and development programs implemented by U.S.-based organizations, UN partners, and other governments. 

Under this expansion, organizations are forced to choose between providing comprehensive, evidence-based health care and information—or retaining U.S. funding. The policy restricts free speech and advocacy related to reproductive health, gender equality, and LGBTQI+ inclusion, even when organizations use their own, non-U.S. funds. 

As EngenderHealth President and CEO Traci L. Baird warns: 

“This unprecedented expansion of the global gag rule represents a dangerous erosion of freedom—free speech, bodily autonomy, and the ability of individuals to decide their own futures. People’s lives and freedoms should never be collateral damage in political power plays.” 

This policy goes far beyond abortion care. It undermines efforts to reduce maternal mortality, silences doctors and trusted health providers, shrinks civic space, and politicizes lifesaving aid—placing the greatest burden on women, young people, and LGBTQI+ communities, especially in times of crisis. 

How to Take Action

This harmful policy is not inevitable—and Congress still has the power to act. 

We urge you to: 

Foreign aid should be about saving lives, upholding dignity, and supporting communities—not enforcing political ideology. Thank you for standing in solidarity with partners and communities around the world and for using your voice to defend health, rights, and freedom. 

Find Your Members of Congress

Speaking out only takes a few minutes—and it makes a real difference. 

Find your Representative and Senators: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member 

Enter your ZIP code to access phone numbers and contact forms for your Members of Congress. 

Make a Quick Phone Call (30 Seconds)

Calling is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Here’s a simple script you can use:

Suggested Call Script:

Hello, my name is [Name], and I’m a constituent from [City/ZIP]. 

I’m calling to urge [Representative/Senator] to oppose the expanded global gag rule and to support the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act. 

This policy restricts free speech, disrupts lifesaving health care, and politicizes humanitarian aid. U.S. foreign assistance should protect health, dignity, and human rights — not impose ideology. 

Thank you for passing this message along. 

Send an Email or Use a Contact Form

If calling isn’t an option, emailing or submitting a contact form is another effective way to advocate.

Suggested Email or Contact Form Language:

Dear [Representative/Senator] [Last Name], 

I am a constituent writing to urge you to oppose the expanded global gag rule and to support the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act. 

The expanded policy restricts free speech, undermines evidence-based health care, and disrupts humanitarian and development programs worldwide — even when organizations use their own, non-U.S. funds. 

U.S. foreign assistance should save lives, uphold dignity, and protect human rights — not be used as a political weapon. 

I urge you to stand against this harmful policy and support legislation that permanently ends gag rules. 

Sincerely, 
[Name] 
[City, State] 

Background on the Expanded Global Gag Rule

The steps above explain how to contact your Members of Congress. Below is a short explainer on why this moment matters—and what’s at stake with the expanded global gag rule.

What is the global gag rule?

The global gag rule—also known as the Mexico City Policy—is a U.S. government policy that restricts foreign organizations receiving U.S. global health assistance from providing, referring for, or advocating for abortion services, even with their own, non-U.S. funds. 

What’s changed under the current expansion?

Under the Trump administration, this policy has now been dramatically expanded for the first time to apply to all non-military U.S. foreign assistance, not just global health funding. This includes humanitarian aid, disaster response, development programs, and funding implemented by U.S.-based organizations, United Nations agencies, and even other governments—far exceeding the scope of the policy during the first Trump administration. 

Why this affects more than abortion care

The expansion goes far beyond abortion-related services. It places sweeping restrictions on speech, advocacy, and programming related to gender equality, LGBTQI+ inclusion, and efforts to address discrimination and inequities. Organizations are prohibited from engaging in certain activities anywhere in the world, in any program, with any funding if they wish to retain U.S. support. 

What experts are warning about

Health experts and human rights advocates warn that the policy will: 

By forcing organizations and governments to choose between providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and maintaining U.S. funding, critics argue the policy politicizes lifesaving assistance, makes foreign aid less effective and more expensive to administer, and places the greatest burden on women, young people, and LGBTQI+ communities who already face significant barriers to care. 

Advocates are calling for congressional action to permanently end gag rules and ensure U.S. foreign assistance is grounded in public health evidence, human rights, and respect for dignity, rather than political interference. 

If you haven’t already, use the steps above to contact your Members of Congress and share your concerns.