Fact Sheet on the Global Gag Rule a.k.a. The Mexico City Policy restrictions were enacted in the FY2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act as part of a compromise between President Clinton and Congressional Republicans to pay U.N. arrears. The terms of the compromise allowed the President to waive some of the requirements in return for a reduction in population assistance funding. Family planning organizations and development experts have argued that by placing these restrictions on population assistance, the Administration is making it more difficult to provide assistance to family planning programs in developing countries. Family planning funding helps curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases which directly helps countries elevate out of their third world status, through utilizing proper population control mechanisms.
Family planning funning is essential to saving lives.
This funding could lead to an increase in the number of unintended pregnancies and ultimately, the number of abortions B in direct contradiction of President Bush's stated goal of reducing the number of abortions worldwide.