Gag Rule Executive Memorandum Issued

USAID Issues Parameters for FY2001 Population Assistance: To view, click here. Bush's Executive Memorandum: To view pdf file, click here. This Week's Actions in Review: Bush Signs Presidential Memorandum on 'Mexico City Policy' Latest Media Coverage: April 2001: Scientific American March 29: Reuters March 28: Associated Press Fact Sheets By: CRLP: The Impact of the Global Gag Rule and The Global Gag Rule’s Effects on Gagged Countries USAID: Voluntary Population Activities – Restoration of the Mexico City Policy PAI: Why the Global Gag Rule Undermines US Foreign Policy and Harm's Women's Health IPPF: Mexico City Policy

March 28—In a technical legal maneuver designed to circumvent Congressional review of the global gag rule through the Congressional Review Act (the Boxer/Reid strategy), President Bush today issued a new Executive Memorandum on "restoration of the Mexico City Policy". This revised memorandum contains the exact language implementing the gag rule that had been published in the Contract Information Bulletin (CIB) USAID issued on February 15th. USAID had rescinded the CIB in accordance with White House plans to reissue the Executive Memorandum. An Executive Memorandum is not subject to Congressional Review through the CRA.

The memo itself differs somewhat from the original January 22nd memo in that there is now tacit recognition that this issue is not about taxpayer funded abortion activity. The previous memo states" it is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad. It is therefore my conviction that the Mexico City Policy should be restored". The revised language reads: " It is my conviction that taxpayer funds appropriated pursuant the Foreign Assisted Act should not be given to foreign nongovernmental organizations that perform abortions or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations".

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