Today, in one of his first and most significant acts thus far since taking office, President Trump reinstated the so-called “Mexico City Policy,” giving pro-life advocates hopeful for how Mr. Trump will govern. The policy was first implemented by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and bans federal funds from being given to international organizations that perform abortions.
The policy continued under George H.W. Bush, but like many Reaganesque policies (Religious Freedom Day, for example), President Clinton reversed it upon taking office. President George W. Bush reinstated it, and after President Obama won his election he rescinded it again like Clinton before him.
This action by President Trump is an encouraging step towards his promise to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Jonathan Keller, President of California Family Council, celebrated the move:
For the first time in eight years, international pro-life advocates will not be forced to contend with pro-abortion opponents funded by United States taxpayers. Today’s pro-life action by President Trump is a clear indication to Planned Parenthood and their pro-abortion cronies that there is a new sheriff in Washington. Now, we all must continue our work towards a day when no abortion providers abuse women and kill children while picking the pockets of the American people.
In a press release issued by the ERLC, Russell Moore president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said:
The usage of taxpayer money to fund abortions is and always has been morally repugnant, and I applaud President Trump’s decision to reinstate the Mexico City Policy. This common sense policy protects conscience freedom and prevents taxpayer dollars from sponsoring abortions. Public funds should be used for protecting life and promoting human flourishing, not exploiting women and families. This decision will save lives, will encourage the hundreds of thousands of men and women who will march on Washington this week for the rights of unborn children, along with millions more around the country who believe that foreign aid should promote life, not end it. This is a welcome step in the right direction, and my hope is that the President will continue to defend human dignity and and hold the predatory abortion industry accountable.
Trump has also promised to appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court, pass the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act banning abortions at 20 weeks and later, and repeal and replace Obamacare which forces companies to provide abortions and abortifacients to their employees.
