Bush intends to issue a presidential memorandum to implement his policy without using the rule-making process exposed to the 1996 law, said an administration official speaking on condition of anonymity. The White House released a letter from the United States 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 workday in the White House and the 28th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that 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 he opposed abortion.
Current law bans the use of U.S. funds for any abortions in foreign countries.
It went through several subsequent iterations as the Democratic president reached different compromises with congressional Republicans.