WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding President Trump’s reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule:

"This morning, President Trump took aim at women around the world by putting in place his Global Gag Rule, which will turn back the clock on years of progress by causing more unintended pregnancies, more maternal and newborn deaths, and more unsafe abortions.

"This policy forces health-care providers to cut services for women, increase fees, and even close clinics. Often, those providers are the only ones who offer even basic health care to poor and remote areas.  By prohibiting caregivers from providing information on essential care, President Trump's Global Gag Rule breaks the vital trust shared by patients and providers at the expense of good health care.

"I am deeply disturbed that the President has taken this devastating action just days into his administration. As Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will make every effort to defend women and girls worldwide against this administration's harmful anti-woman agenda."

Background:

Under President Trump's Global Gag Rule, foreign NGOs must choose between receiving U.S. funding or providing women with life-saving, comprehensive reproductive health care. As a condition of receiving U.S. foreign assistance under Trump’s rule, NGOs may not provide legal abortions or counseling for women seeking abortions, even if the activities are funded privately. The Trump Rule also bars NGOs from educating the public on the significant dangers that unsafe abortion poses.

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