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TITLE: Bush Reinstates Global "Gag" Rule on Family Planning |
AUTHOR: Kate Michelman |
ORG: President Of NARAL |
DATE: January 22, 2001 |
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"From anti-choice cabinet nominees like John Ashcroft and Tommy Thompson, to the reinstating of the global 'gag' rule on the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President George W. Bush has made it clear that he will use his presidential powers to undermine the reproductive rights of the world's women. Bush continues to shed his facade of moderation and has put the policy agenda of the far right on the fast track. "By issuing an executive order today reinstating the global 'gag' rule, Bush has imposed an unnecessary and harmful restriction on women's reproductive freedom. This should serve as a wake-up call to anyone who thought Bush would not be a threat to a woman's right to choose. Bush's actions and statements have demonstrated his agenda to restrict access to reproductive health services for women whenever possible. He has clearly decided to ignore the will of the American people -- a majority of whom are pro-choice, pro-family planning, and voted for a pro-choice candidate in 2000. "The global 'gag' rule restricts family planning organizations that use their own privately raised, non-U.S. funds to lobby their own government on reproductive health matters, a restriction that would be unconstitutional if imposed here in the U.S. The argument that U.S. funds are being used to pay for abortion is patently false. It has been illegal to use U.S. funds for abortion since 1975." END |