Helms is similar to the, also known as the “Mexico City policy,” an executive action repeatedly issued by Republican presidents . The global gag rule not only prohibits U.S. foreign aid for abortion care—it goes even further than Helms, prohibiting international organizations receiving U.S. funding from even so much as using theirto counsel or refer vulnerable people to abortion care services, even if they don’t provide them.
As the president of Catholics for Choice, I am urging President Biden to center his Catholic upbringing in championing individual conscience, prioritizing justice and ensuring this bill has the full support of his administration., the current domestic policy that prohibits taxpayer dollars from being allocated directly for abortion care.
When we hear those in power talk about religious freedom, this is the kind of government overreach that should concern all of us—brought upon by those who weaponize faith against vulnerable communities for no better reason than regulating the private lives of strangers, regardless of threats to life and privacy.., our team is continuing to report through this global health crisis—doing what we can to keep you informed and up-to-date on some of the most underreported issues of this pandemic.