This week, President Donald Trump made a significant step in fulfilling his pro-life promises by expanding the Mexico City Policy. That Reagan-era rule, routinely dropped by Democrat presidents and reinstated by Republican ones, strips billions of dollars from international non-governmental organizations that promote or perform abortions.
Nearly $9 billion will now go to organizations that agree not to include abortion alongside health care for women.
Rep. Chris Smith, from New Jersey, praised the expansion in a commentary on The Daily Signal.
“This funding includes not only family planning, but other global health assistance such as maternal and child health, malaria and HIV/AIDs,” he said. “Also of significance, the new pro-child, pro-woman safeguards do not reduce funding for global health assistance by so much as a dollar.”
President Trump’s policy, dubbed Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance, includes exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. It does not prevent NGO’s from providing care for any abortion-related illness or injury.
Pro-abortion activists have decried the expansion of the policy, but Marjorie Dannenfelser with the Susan B. Anthony List, said it’s a step in the right direction – and it’s exactly why pro-lifers put Donald Trump in the White House.
“With the implementation of Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance,” she said in a statement, “we have officially ceased exporting abortion to foreign nations. No longer will we undermine the pro-life laws and cultural commitments of other countries by funding organizations that obsessively promote and perform abortion. Our hard-earned tax dollars will now be used by health care entities that act consistently to save lives rather than destroy them.”
President Trump has made positive steps toward fulfilling many of his campaign promises to evangelicals. By undoing the Obama Title IX “bathroom” mandate he empowered states to protect the privacy and safety of students. Signing the religious freedom executive order was a first step toward strengthening our Constitutional freedoms and now the expansion of the Mexico City Policy that further protects human life, not just here, but around the globe.
“There is still much work that remains to be done,” said Stephanie Curry, policy manager with Family Policy Alliance. “As believers, we need to make sure that President Trump and Congress fulfill those promises, especially defunding Planned Parenthood and preventing government from targeting people and business owners of faith.”
President Donald Trump chose the 2017 celebration of the National Day of Prayer to sign an executive order strengthening religious freedom.
The Religious Liberty Executive Order received mixed reviews, but most evangelicals believe it is a good first step in the process.
“We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced again and we will never stand for religious discrimination,” President Trump said at a ceremony in the Rose Garden.
Paul Weber, president and CEO of Family Policy Alliance, was cautiously optimistic.
“The previous Administration’s hostility toward the right to freely live out one’s faith was no secret,” he explained. “American employers and even faith-based charities were forced to choose between their faith and contributing to the good of our country’s economy and welfare.
“President Trump must continue to work to protect religious freedom. Family Policy Alliance and our network of 40 state-based family policy councils will work with families across the country to restore a nation where religious freedom flourishes.”
The National Day of Prayer Proclamation further supported President’s campaign promises to strengthen religious freedom. It’s one of the strongest proclamations we’ve seen for nearly a decade:
“We are also reminded and reaffirm that all human beings have the right, not only to pray and worship according to their consciences, but to practice their faith in their homes, schools, charities, and businesses – in private and in the public square – free from government coercion, discrimination, or persecution. Religion is not merely an intellectual exercise, but also a practical one that demands action in the world. Even the many prisoners around the world who are persecuted for their faith can pray privately in their cells. But our Constitution demands more: the freedom to practice one’s faith publicly.”
TAKE ACTION
Thank the President and Vice President for taking this important first step in protecting religious freedom.
President Trump has an opportunity to protect our religious freedoms by signing an Executive Order. The document would make religious freedom for all people, at all times and in all situations.
But we don’t just need another Executive Order. Autumn Leva and Paul Weber tell us that Congress needs to step up and pass laws to strengthen our First Freedoms – and make good on one of Trump’s biggest campaign promises.
TAKE ACTION
Send an email to President Trump and Vice President Pence urging them to keep their campaign promise on religious freedom.