22 January 2001

Bush Order Restoring "Mexico City Policy"

Move blocks U.S. funding for groups that support abortion abroad

Following is the text of an executive order issued January 22 by President Bush restoring the ban on U.S. funding for nongovernmental organizations that promote or advocate abortion outside the United States.

The ban, first enacted in 1984 by President Reagan, had been rescinded in 1993 by President Clinton, immediately after he became president.

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The Mexico City Policy announced by President Reagan in 1984 required nongovernmental organizations to agree as a condition of their receipt of federal funds that such organizations would neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations. This policy was in effect until it was rescinded on January 22, 1993.

It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad. It is therefore my belief that the Mexico City Policy should be restored. Accordingly, I hereby rescind the "Memorandum for the Acting Administrator of the Agency for International Development, Subject: AID Family Planning Grants/Mexico City Policy," dated January 22, 1993, and I direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to reinstate in full all of the requirements of the Mexico City Policy in effect on January 19, 1993.

George W. Bush

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