Abortion advocates were irate over Bush's latest move. Seven pro-abortion Senators introduced legislation Tuesday to overturn Bush's original action, using a 1996 law that permits the House and Senate to pass legislation rejecting regulations. 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 that legalized abortion on demand and 40 million abortions since.
Current law bans the use of U.S. funds for any abortions in foreign countries.