Trump reinstates Mexico City Policy, ending government funding of NGOs that promote or provide abortions overseas

In one of his first policy actions, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on January 23 reinstating the Mexico City policy. The policy prohibits government funding of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that promote or provide abortions in cases other than rape, incest, or life of the mother.

The Mexico City policy itself, named after the location at which it was first announced in 1984 by President Reagan, has been upheld by every Republican president and rescinded by every Democratic president since its conception. Most recently, the policy was rescinded by President Obama soon after his inauguration in 2008. While the reinstatement of the Mexico City policy is the most discussed portion of the presidential memorandum, the policy change also barred organizations that support involuntary sterilization, such as those found in China, from receiving federal funds.

Under the Obama administration, high profile organizations such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International, as well as the lower profile United Nations Population Fund and Oxfam, could receive government funding as long as funds were not used to promote or provide abortion. The funding was substantial, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of President Obama’s two terms. Under the reinstated policy, these organizations will no longer be able to receive any funding unless they change their policies regarding abortion.

Pro-life groups have cheered the policy change, hoping the reinstatement of the policy will be just the beginning of a series of government actions that will protect the lives of the unborn. The Rover reached out to Notre Dame Right to Life and was provided the following statement: “Notre Dame Right to Life welcomes the reinstatement of the Mexico City policy. Women across the globe deserve real health care that recognizes the dignity of both mother and child. Abortion should never be a U.S. export, and organizations that provide life-affirming care and resources to women in need should be supported instead.”

In the realm of politics, many Republicans have applauded President Trump for his action as they hope his presidency will advance objectives of the pro-life movement. The move has also been decried by many Democrats, however, for restricting women’s’ choices.

The Rover reached out to both the College Republicans and College Democrats for comment. Pat Crane, president of College Republicans, told the Rover, “While the spectre of the systematic murder of America’s next generation may still hang in the balance, President Trump has made it clear that the tide has turned. He’s setting a wonderful precedent for the rest of his campaign against abortion. I can only hope that we can move beyond Roe v. Wade under his presidency and protect the lives of the millions of innocents, unprotected for the last 40 years.” As of publishing, the College Democrats had not responded to inquiries.  

Numerous students spoke with the Rover about the policy, expressing a mix of support and disapproval for the change.

First-year student Mary Szromba said she does not believe the policy is truly pro-life, claiming, “Thousands of women will die across the world from back-alley abortions, and millions will lose access to safe birth control. If the creators of this legislation were truly pro-life, they would draft an order that would actually save lives instead of condemning women across the world who are less privileged.”

In contrast, first-year student Noelle Johnson strongly supported the policy change, saying “President Trump’s action to defund the International Planned Parenthood Federation is the first step in realizing a central aspect of a pro-life vision; it is only when all lives, including the unborn, are respected, that women will be respected.”

Junior Mimi Teixeira also supported the policy as a way of ensuring foreign aid is used in congruence with human rights, stating “I think the Mexico City policy is a positive guideline for foreign aid. We can now be confident that our aid money is spent in a way that reflects a commitment to the universal right to life.”