It’s become a political symbol, albeit an important one:
Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Sunday that halts funding for Planned Parenthood’s international operations.
Since the days of President Ronald Reagan, the funding and defunding of International Planned Parenthood has become sort of a political football. It was called the “Mexico City” Policy because Reagan signed the order in the city.
After Reagan ordered all funds be cut from the group – and any international group that won’t refuse to perform abortions, President Bill Clinton restored the funding.
Then, as one of his first acts in office, President George W. Bush cut the funding, only to have it restored again by Barack Obama.
So – that Republican Donald Trump would reinstate the policy of denying funding should come as no surprise to anyone. Still, Democrats like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire reacted with faux shock and horror.
She said she plans to fight Trump on the matter through “legislative procedures.”
Of course, any legislation to overturn Trump’s ban on funding would have to get through the Republican-controlled House and Senate – then face a veto from Donald Trump.
So again, it’s a leftist making a worthless gesture.
Amnesty International also responded, saying the move would “send a dangerous message to the world that the reproductive rights of women and girls, and refugees’ rights are not a priority.”
The 1977 Hyde Amendment banned the use of federal funds for abortions within the U.S. However, the “Mexico City policy” not only extends that rule to foreign organizations but also bars them from receiving funding for non-abortion activities.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, more than $600 million in U.S. foreign aid was appropriated for family planning in fiscal year 2016. The pro-abortion institute said the money would have aided some 27 million women.
Source: Thefederalistpapers