House Health Care Champions Introduce Bill to Permanently End Global Gag Rule
For Immediate Release: March 28, 2023
More than 130 health care, human rights, and gender equality organizations endorsed this legislation
Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), along with Reps. Schakowsky (D-IL-9) and Bera (D-CA-6) led over 150 cosponsors re-introduced the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act to permanently repeal the global gag rule. The global gag rule has been used by anti-reproductive rights politicians to prevent international organizations from receiving any U.S. global health assistance if they provide, offer counsel on, refer to, or advocate for abortion services — even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds.
Since its inception during the Reagan administration, this policy has been rescinded and reinstated with every party shift in the White House. As a first order of business, the Biden administration temporarily ended the global gag rule — but the threat of reinstatement by a future president remains and only Congress can end this policy permanently.
Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“Sexual and reproductive health care should be available and accessible to everyone, no matter what country they live in. And access to reproductive health care and information should not hang in the balance every time there is a party change in the White House. People around the world deserve to live free from the shadow of the global gag rule. We thank Rep. Lee for leading the charge to make that happen.
It’s past time for Congress to end the global gag rule once and for all. As we continue to fight for reproductive health care here in the U.S., we cannot and will not forget about those abroad who deserve the same rights and care.”
The global gag rule has caused devastating constraints of services, most harming women and girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people. Even when this policy is not in effect, the harm does not end. The looming threat of its return undermines sustainable progress for global health and gender equality, brings instability to and jeopardizes the health and rights of people abroad.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.