Comments from the Bush Administration about the Mexico City Policy

Highlights from press briefing with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, January 22, 2001
(Contact the White House Press Office at 202/456-2580)

Q Ari, is the President aware that under a 1973 --

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, you'll see when he signs the executive order, you'll be able to read -- I'm sorry?

Q Is the President aware that under the 1973 law, the use of American money for abortions abroad is banned? This money isn't used for abortions.

MR. FLEISCHER: I would urge you to wait until you read the executive order, and then you'll be able to see this for yourself.

Q What time are we getting it?

MR. FLEISCHER: Shortly after it's signed.

Q But, again, to what you said, does he disagree with the argument that by cutting funding to these groups, that there will be more unplanned pregnancies because the family planning aspect of this will disappear overseas?

MR. FLEISCHER: You should wait to receive the executive order, but you should know that the President's position is philosophical and it was something that was discussed throughout the campaign. ***

Q I still don't understand the timing of this executive order and announcement on abortion. He wanted to make education the priority and focus for this week. I understand he campaigned on these issues related to abortion, but there was no real reason he had to issue the executive order today, or even this week, as far as I know. And this is obviously going to make big headlines. Were there concerns from pro-lifers about Laura Bush's statement or Ashcroft saying he wouldn't --

MR. FLEISCHER: No.

Q So why the timing? Why today, on his first day, a headline-making story on abortion?

MR. FLEISCHER: Because it's something the President believes in.

Q Is that the nation's biggest problem?

Q So it's his top priority?

MR. FLEISCHER: No, I wouldn't say that. He's done several things today. He had a meeting with the Congress today, with the Republican leaders of the Congress. And he had a meeting today, of course, focused on the reading providers. And you know, that's his top priority.

*** Q Ari, I'm confused now on the timing of the executive order. Is it coming today? Should we be on our toes and on alert for it sometime today?

MR. FLEISCHER: I think, Jean, you should always be on your toes and alert for things here.

Q Granted. Point taken, but --

MR. FLEISCHER: Whenever it is signed, we will get it to everybody shortly thereafter, whatever day that is. And it is possible it could be today.

*** Q Ari, I don't want to say that this abortion executive order might be your gays in the military, because it's unlikely that the Joint Chiefs of Staff will march in here and oppose it, but do you not risk being distracted in your legislative agenda by doing this right out of the box?

MR. FLEISCHER: No, I think it's something that everybody expected.

Q It is the top of the President's agenda? He takes over a country, and this is the top? I mean, of all the issues, and all the things bothering in our country?

MR. FLEISCHER: He issued a series of executive orders on Saturday, of course, dealing with other matters, and he'll continue to issue executive orders.

Q But he's trying to set a tone, isn't he?

MR. FLEISCHER: And this is a bipartisan one. His position is supported on a bipartisan basis.

Q Where is the bipartisan?

MR. FLEISCHER: There are many Democrats who don't support using taxpayer dollars.

Q I don't see any clamoring for this.

Q Ari, I think the question was not whether it was expected, but whether it was expected this quickly. Can you speak to that?

MR. FLEISCHER: Whenever he has it to announce, it will be announced.

Q Well, he announced today that he's going to do it.

MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.

Q So it could happen on the first day

MR. FLEISCHER: It's possible it could.

Q The question is, does that not get this administration off on a foot that was perhaps unexpected?

MR. FLEISCHER: No, I think it gets us off on a foot that is bipartisan. Most Americans do not support the use of taxpayer money for these purposes.

Q Ari, is the timing tied to the 28th anniversary of Roe versus Wade?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the marchers are in town today. They're here.

Q You're not really saying that you believe that the way to build the spirit of bipartisanship is by wading into the issue of abortion on day one, are you?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, this is an issue on which there is bipartisan support, clearly.

Q Who is supporting you on this?

MR. FLEISCHER: This was passed in the Congress the last many years in a row and been signed by President Clinton.

Q We know the marchers are here, but is that why the President is doing this right now?

MR. FLEISCHER: Again, he will put out his announcements in the order that he sees fit.

*** Q Did you all intend to send the message on the first day to the pro-life community that this new administration is here? Are you all intentionally sending a message with this executive order?

MR. FLEISCHER: I think he's doing what he's done on many issues, which is honor his campaign commitments and his campaign promises.

Q You said before, I'm a little confused here, that this passed in Congress and President Clinton signed it, but actually --

MR. FLEISCHER: The Mexico City language.

Q But President Clinton issued an executive order reversing Mexico City --

MR. FLEISCHER: And many years in the past, as a result of congressional action and compromises that were reached, that executive order was modified through legislation.

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