Donald Trump has signed an executive order reinstating the “Mexico City policy,” also known as the “global gag rule,” which bars U.S. foreign aid to organizations that provide abortion services, counseling, or advocacy. The policy, which first originated under President Reagan in 1984, has been a contentious issue, often reversing with each change of political party in power. Under the rule, organizations must stop offering abortion-related services or lose U.S. funding. They are also required to prove that they will not use other funding sources, including from non-U.S. donors, for abortion services.

Critics, including the Guttmacher Institute and Rebecca Hart Holder of Reproductive Equity Now, argue that the policy exacerbates global health issues, such as limiting access to contraception and increasing unsafe abortions. These restrictions may result in dire consequences for women, including pregnancy complications and fatalities, as healthcare providers are stripped of the resources to offer comprehensive reproductive care. The policy has sparked ongoing debate, particularly regarding its restriction on not just services but also information and advocacy related to reproductive health. Despite these concerns, the rule remains a hallmark of Republican administrations, signaling the ongoing division over abortion rights in the U.S. and worldwide.

Now, the president has signed off a new executive bill that is set to reinstate the ‘global gag rule’ on abortions, known as the ‘Mexico City policy’.