President Donald Trump took executive actions today preventing the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions both in foreign countries and within the United States.
The first measure signed by Trump, a presidential memorandum referred to as the Mexico City policy, prevents taxpayer funds from being sent to foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortions. Trump also signed an executive order strengthening the Hyde Amendment, a ban on the use of federal funds for abortion.
“I further direct the Secretary of State to take all necessary actions, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund organizations or programs that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization,” reads the memorandum reinstating the Mexico City policy, sent out by the White House Office of Communications.
“It is the policy of the United States, consistent with the Hyde Amendment, to end the forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion,” the president’s executive order on the Hyde Amendment states.
The Biden administration rescinded the Mexico City policy, though Biden was unable to overturn the Hyde Amendment. A White House official said that the move by Trump is an effort to undo Biden’s abortion policies and reinstate the status quo that existed before the Democrat took office, RealClearPolitics reported.
The Mexico City policy was first instated during the Reagan administration, but has been rescinded and reimplemented numerous times, with each Democrat president dropping the policy and every Republican president reinstating it. The measure ensures “that no U.S. taxpayer money supports foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortion in other nations.”
While the Biden administration was unable to overturn the Hyde amendment, it did take several pro-abortion measures after Roe v. Wadewas overturned in June of 2022. Biden promised to codify Roe into law if he was given a Democratic majority in the House and Senate, but took a range of actions through the executive branch to expand access to abortion.
His administration directed the Department of Defense to reimburse transportation costs for servicemembers traveling across state lines to receive abortions, calling the policy critical for military readiness. Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services even issued a policy ordering that unaccompanied minor pregnant illegal aliens be given transportation to receive abortions if they wanted one.
Trump’s actions come right after Vice President JD Vance took the stageat the March for Life to give his first speech as vice president.
“It is a blessing to know the truth, and the truth is that unborn life is worthy of protection,” Vance said on the National Mall. “We are joyful to March for Life. We are joyful to know that that picture on an ultrasound, that is a picture of a baby with hopes and dreams and potential to come. It is a joy and a blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to March for Life.”
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