Democrat-controlled House passes spending bill that funds international abortions

House Democrats passed a nearly $1 trillion spending bill Wednesday that would restore taxpayer funding for international abortions. The extensive bill allocates funding for various government departments while repealing the Mexico City policy, which ends federal funding of foreign abortion agencies. The bill passed the House with a vote of 226 to 203, largely across party lines, with seven Democrats voting against the measure. The spending bill now moves to the Senate, where many of its provisions are unlikely to pass the Republican majority.

Trump enacted the Mexico City policy (referred to by some as the “global gag-rule”) shortly after taking office. The policy prohibits federal funds from supporting foreign agencies that commit or provide abortions. While the policy has historically been enacted under Republican presidents and repealed under Democratic presidents, Trump expanded its reach to prevent funds from reaching any foreign NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that in turn give to other foreign groups in the abortion industry. The additional restrictions were aimed at preventing backdoor funding of abortions.  Click here for more.