WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on the Department of State's six-month review of the global gag rule:

“This insulting report totally ignores the devastating impact the global gag rule is having overseas. It’s causing clinics to close,  blocking access to HIV tests, and denying many—especially women and girls—their right to comprehensive health care from providers they trust. The Administration conveniently omits these harmful effects and leaves out negative stakeholder comments, claiming instead that ‘the picture on progress and challenges is still developing.’

“I’m not surprised the Administration is trying to hide the ball when it comes to their medieval approach to health policy—which they have the nerve to call ‘protecting life in global health assistance.’ But I won’t stand for it. Until this policy is permanently repealed with the passage of the Global HER Act, I’m going to demand transparency about the global gag rule. The harm this Administration is causing with this policy must be brought into the light.

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