But a presidential memorandum does not appear to be open to a vote. The White House released a letter from the U.S. Agency for International Development's procurement director to the agency's acting general counsel, spelling out Bush's plans to issue a memorandum and his decision to cancel the initial order. It was his first full work day in the White House and the 28th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion. Abortion-rights supporters condemned Bush's action in January, calling it an act of war on women's reproductive rights. Bush said during the presidential campaign that he opposed abortion.
Current law bans the use of U.S. funds for any abortions in foreign countries.
Former Presidents Reagan and Bush extended the ban to groups that use their own money to support abortion abroad. It went through several subsequent changes as the Democratic president reached different compromises with congressional Republicans.