What Exactly is the Mexico City Policy?
by Tom McClusky
January 23, 2009
I’m amazed with the number of people, on both sides of the abortion issue, in the media and definitely in Congress who have no understanding of what the Mexico City Policy is and does. I recently did an NPR interview where the obviously biased reporter asked me a number of “questions” that showed both a bias and a lack of knowledge in the policy. At a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing in October of 2007 a number of witnesses (including Joana Nerquaye-Tetteh, former executive director of Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana) who support the overturning of the Mexico City Policy had to actually admit ignorance of the policy during the hearing after some intense questioning from Republicans on the Committee.
First a little background. The Mexico City policy was first implemented via a memorandum by President Reagan in 1984 at a United Nations population conference in Mexico City, thus the name Mexico City policy. Prior to President Reagan’s actions American policy on paper was to never promote abortion overseas, however in practice US tax dollars directly supported organizations which advocated and performed abortion. It remained in effect until 1993 when President Clinton rescinded the Mexico City policy on January 22, 1993 for the entirety of his tenure in office. On January 22, 2001, President Bush issued a memorandum restoring the Mexico City policy.
In as little words as possible, the Mexico City policy halts U.S. family planning funds from going to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that perform abortions or “actively promote” abortion as a method of family planning in other countries.
What does this mean? Under the Mexico City Policy for an NGO to be “actively promoting” abortions means they provide advice and information regarding the availability of abortion or encourage women to consider abortion; lobby a foreign government to legalize or make more available abortion; or conduct a public information campaign regarding the benefits and/or availability of abortion.
That is what NGO’s can’t do. What they CAN still do under the Mexico City Policy is provide referrals for abortion in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life would be endangered if the unborn child were carried to term; and treat injuries or illnesses caused by legal or illegal abortions, i.e., post-abortion care. The argument that the Mexico City Policy is in actually a “global gag rule” is pure and utter nonsense – unless you actually believe that abortion, killing the child in the womb, is a form of family planning.
The effect of President Obama rescinding the Mexico City Policy is that now millions ($461 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008) of dollars are taken away from family planning groups that do not promote abortion, and delivered into the hands of organizations that are the most militant in promoting abortion as a population-control method – especially in countries that find abortion objectionable on moral grounds.
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Comments
How can we fight this. What do we need to do. I am amazed at the number of so called Christians that voted for Obama. The media did a good job in getting thier man elected. They lied to the people so much it scares me that the people of the USA believe this, I guess the old saying is true tell a lie long enough and people start to believe it.
God Bless and may his hand be on the USA
Dan W Rykard
Americans United for Life (AUL) has an analysis of the Mexico City Policy on their website:
ADF: What’s LEFT of the Constitution (March for Life Edition)
Written by Greg Scott, crossposted from Stop the ACLU: “What’s Left of the Constitution?” is a periodic news digest featuring Alliance Defense Fund legal analysis of proposals, policies, and trends advanced by the federal government. On a regular basis…
This is very sick. It is sickening that Rick Warren prayed at the inauguration. Christians are never to compromise and associate with the false teachers and anti-christs. We are to respect our government, but not deliberately shake hands with the king Herods of our land who kill innocent babies—the infanticide-ists. Christians are come out and be separate. Rick Warren fellowships with homosexuals and says he is no homophobic. He is a compromiser in every sense of the word. He is part of the apostasy of the church.
He allowed Obama in His church and only those who are abiding in the commandments of Christ are to be allowed in the door; 2 John. Christians are commanded to come out and be separate and not touch the unclean. The church is to be kept well swept of evil influences; 1 Corinthians chapter 5.
John the Baptizer would have never perused Herod Antipas to shake hands with him as if he was a good guy. He proclaimed his sin of adultery to everyone and did not play silly political games. He just proclaimed his sin and tried to get him to repent. There was no game playing with evil.
Please read 2 Peter, Jude and all of Scripture. Christ never fellowshipped with the Sadducees and Pharisees. He did not play any political games and never tried to appease those who walked the roads of evil.
May spiritual discernment come to the church and it may it turn from the apostasy.
Thanks for listening to my disturbed and hurting heart.
In response to Val Lee’s blatant attack on Rick Warren. Christians aren’t supposed to be tearing each other down. There are enough people in the world doing that without us doing it to each other. And when you said that Jesus never fellowshipped with the Sadducees and Pharisees of his time you were absolutely correct! But you had better find a good mirror and take a goo look in it and realize that the Sadducees and the Pharisees of Jesus’ time were the self-righteous religious leaders of their day that had following rules and regulations down to a science.
I feel sorry for you that you missed the message on mercy and praying for our leaders that Jesus gave us.
With our economy in the state it is in, we do not need to pay for women’s abortions here and aborad!
Also responding to Val Lee, Jesus indeed associated with the unrighteous, in fact, He says it’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. He was accused of being a drunkard and a friend of sinners. Does that mean he approves of everything they did? Of course not, but damn right he could shake their hands and associate with them. Read John 3 with Nicodemus, and don’t forget Zacchaeus in Luke 19.
“only those who are abiding in the commandments of Christ are to be allowed in the door”. If this is the case, neither you nor I should be allowed in church, nor the pastor, nor the pope himself. How dare you think any of us are “clean” in and of ourselves. You sound elitist. Not touching the unclean is talking about being uncompromising, not disassociating with the ungodly! Jesus challenged that by touching lepers and eating with tax collectors (those cheats). I think Jesus would have some harsh words to say to us who quote religious words yet miss the whole point.
No, let’s not agree with our president in many issues, but disassociation eliminates any chance of impacting people who don’t know the Lord. But maybe you already have your mind made up.
I strongly oppose my tax dollars being spent for abortions. I am a strong advocate of pro life and am very upset you choose to spend my tax dollars for something I so strongly oppose as the bible does.
During our challenging economy, I can see far many more priorities of spending to help our economy than spending more money on supporting abortions in our America as well as abroad.
I am terribly disappointed in your choosing to spend money so foolishly when we are already in such debt. How do you believe this will help our economy?
I so strongly oppose your spending my hard earned tax dollars on promoting abortions.
I sent this to Jim DeMint
From USJF
Now we’re compelled to attack Obama’s extremist policies . . . not only because they’re bad policy for America , but also because — as a usurper occupying the position of President — they are invalid! Not to mention his campaign fraud and illegal donations.
* So when Obama fights to implement Islamic Sharia law in any form in the United States , USJF will sue.
* If Obama succeeds in overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act — which currently protects individual states from being forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states — USJF will sue.
* When Obama signs on the dotted line to ratify the International Criminal Court — usurping American sovereignty — USJF will sue.
* If Obama signs Freedom of Choice legislation — which would overturn every federal and state law presently on the books that limit abortion in any way — USJF will sue.
* When Obama reinstates a ban on offshore drilling — leaving the United States hostage to terror-supporting countries in the Middle East — USJF will sue.
* So when Barack Obama issues an executive order funding embryonic stem cell research, the United States Justice Foundation will sue.
And Obama’s promise to fund overseas abortion will present the United States Justice Foundation with an opportunity to go after him on a constitutional issue since the Constitution clearly gives only the Legislature the ability to spend money.
United States Justice Foundation vows to legally challenge every move he makes, unless and until he proves he’s a natural born citizen by releasing his original birth certificate.
I am responding to Val Lee’s message. It sounds as if most christians tend to forget that we live in this world in order to bring the same message that Jesus brought, that of mercy. If Jesus were to think the way “self-righteous” christians do, He would have never picked His disciples among fishermen, He would have looked for pharisees, the “clean” ones, He would have never let a “prostitute” touch His feet, He would have never talked shaked his hand by talking to a dying murderer/thief on the cross. When it comes to the current government, most people, especially so-called christians tend to blow the whistle about abortion. Yes, I believe in the sanctity of life. What about those “christians” who purchase and keep weapons in their houses so as to “protect” themselves, why don’t they count on God for protection? If we raise our voices about killing babies, we should also do the same for “gun selling”, “capital punishment” in our country, because all have the same objective = “getting rid of sacred lives”. Our current president/government is not perfect and none would be, because we are on this earth and our battle is spiritual. We should encourage each other into praying, fasting for our leaders/government. Who has forgotten the power of God through prayer/fasting? Have you done one of those since the president’s election, and if not, what are you waiting for? As much as you need support in your life/family, the president and all his aides need our prayers. Thank you for considering mercy in your life for the sake of Jesus’ Kingdom. God bless you.
Israel wanted a king instead of the prophets so God let them have what they ask for Saul. The voters went to the polls and the USA got a Saul. I am sadden that our country has no where to go but down and Obama is taking us down to the pit of hell fast. Obama supports premediated murderers, same sex marriages, corruption, and anything else that is evil. He has brought to Washington DC the Chicago cesspool to make all of this come together so the USA will become a socialist country. It looks like everything that our country stood for has been for nothing. We have a person who supports premediated murderers, same sex marriages, corruption and I could go on and on. I see Obama bring in the one world order so the Rapture of the Christians will happen very soon.
Maybe if we hadn’t killed 50 million babies since 1973 we’d have more people paying into Social Security. Instead Nancy Pelosi says that killing even more babies will “stimulate the economy.” Why do we keep electing these brain-dead (and heartless) people to run this country?
I have to agree with Val Lee’s comment. I think too many pastors are compromising what we, as Christians, believe to be the inherrent word of God. We are called upon to be the salt and the light of the earth. We don’t achieve that calling by caving in and tiptoeing around hot button issues. The Bible calls homosexuality an abomination. And to downplay it does not help anyone. We have people all around us who are headed to Hell, and we wouldn’t be doing God’s will if we didn’t pray for them and try, in a loving and caring way, to open their eyes to the truth.
I whole-heartedly agree with Deborah’s comment. We can’t afford to be so self-righteous to think we can judge others–do we forget where we come from? We are saved by grace. We need to bring the Gospel with love and humility, in a non-judgemental spirit. And yes, we are to love homosexuals and abortionists! It’s the person we are to love, not the act! Jesus calls us to love the person, not the sin. Remember, God is no respector of persons–we are equal in his eyes, to a homosexual or baby killer. The only thing that makes us different is we are covered by the blood of Christ. Thanks be to God! We kill our witness with communications that wreak of hate. I talk with many people, some claiming to have life, and many say we are haters, bringing a hate message. This shouldn’t be! We should bring the Gospel with love, not judging the person. The Good News that Jesus died for us, and there is forgiveness for any sin! (except the sin of unbelief, for which there can be no forgiveness)These people need Christ, they need to hear that God loves them, but hates their sin. And we need to bring that message in love. And when the Holy Spirit convicts them—(it’s his job to convict, not ours—we just bring the “Good News”)they may repent and turn from their ways. And they may not. They may repent in God’s time, we may be planting a seed. We may be the only Christ these people will see. I think Pastor Warren has been a light in a dark world. He is an ambassador for Christ to an obviously Christ-less administration, and i’m glad he was there to offer up a Christ-centered prayer, and not the political racist mumbo-jumbo i heard from the other preacher
Okay, Val and Lee, I understand both of your concerns and sympathisize with both of you. I have been in both places in my life with Christ. It is hard not to judge as a Christian. It is hard to know what is right and try to do it with your whole heart, and not look down on those who fall, don’t try, or don’t understand. But, we are not the judges! That is God’s job. I have to tell myself and my grandmother (we are a lot alike) this same thing on a daily basis.
I am a firm believer in Christ. What did Christ do when he was hear? He loved! (I John 4:7-8; Matt. 22:39). We can not bring unbelievers to Christ if we are throwing insults at them.
We need to hold firm to what we believe, but teach the truths of Romans 1 (about living without sexual impurity, etc) and Psalm 10 (about protecting the helpless) in love, not hate. If it were not for the grace of God we would be dead, just like everyone without Christ. Remember that Jesus would take all of us under his wings, even those who do horrible things because they do not know any better. May the Lord guide and bless you both all of your days.
In response to Val Lee, I’d like to also remind her that Rick Warren was following closely in Jesus’ footsteps by reaching out to our nation and accepting the invitation to pray for our new president. (who, he clearly disagrees with in many areas) Jesus was criticized for eating and associating with “the wrong people” “sinners”. His answer was clear. He came to save sinners. When the rich young ruler came to him with the question about how to be saved, He looked at him and “loved him”. When the prostitute washed his feet with her tears, he didn’t reprimand her or pull away from her. Time and time again He associated with people who the religious leaders would not have–for the purpose of spreading the truth about who He was! I for one see Jesus shining through Rick Warren and thank God for raising up devout men like him when our country needs to hear the truth.
I cannot believe we are doing this…If the
economy is so bad how can we afford to do this?
I am so dissapointed with Washington..I did not
vote for Obama because I always do research on
candidates before voting…It is ashame that the
sheep in this country are so mislead…God Bless
the USA…But will he?
Dan asked, “What can we do”? Beyond the obvious, which is to pray, may I suggest calling the White House comment line? I did this yesterday regarding the Mexico City policy. I always email my senators and representative, as well. I can see in this administration that I will be calling the comment line often: 202-456-1111
I find abortion a grave moral wrong. It also has polarised many in our country. To adopt abortion and it’s culture of death by using tax dollars is outrageous.
You are right ‘on the money’, Val Lee! Word. The overlord and that wife of his are leading us straight into a Socialist country. The great news is that, as our Marine son keeps telling us, our Father is in total control of America: that the overlord and that wife of his should win did not catch Him sleeping. He is in control, people, and btw, thank God for blog’s like frc which continue to keep us posted as to the shenanigans going on on Fridays in D.C. You are our nation’s watchdog.
I feel that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are at the helm. We as Americans should do all we can to stop the socialist move in our country that is being perpetuated on our citizens by socialist Obama, Biden, Pelosi, and Hillary Clinton, just to name a few. Our constitution in this country was set up by God Fearing men who knew that men become greedy and thirst for power so set up that constitution and our government to guard against that eventuality. Through the years, it has been people like the Clintons and Obamam who would tear down our constitution and have us paying for all their programs to take us down the communist socialist path.
I’m right there with ya, Dan. You can be sure that you’ll see some buyer’s remorse within the next sixteen months.
When Pres. Obama said ‘hit the ground running’, nobody thought he’d be running wide to the left. What were those voters thinking? Couldn’t they hear? Couldn’t they see? No. Their political correctness did not permit it.
I agree with Florence Maddock–get involved. Make those calls, email your senators etc. Focus on the Family’s Citizenlink has great information as well as links to email your state’s people– (http://www.citizenlink.org/) (also Family Research Council (http://www.frc.org/)
People, the times are dire. We as Christians need to stand up for what is right…and DO something to fight the good fight…
What an education I am getting on this site! Thank you FRC for your stand, your action, and your alert to the people of this great country!
Yes, change is definitely in our face. But we are the peculiar people and the Chosen generation. Where there is disagreement in our unique perceptions and opinions, let us pray for each other, ourselves, in humility, as well as for our leaders, government, and godly warriors that “THY KINGDOM COME AND THY WILL BE DONE”. Loose His power in you by keeping the UNITY of the bretheran which brings a SPIRITUAL SOUND sound of HARMONY – ONENESS – that even though we are dispersed throughout our nation, this harmony is definitely heard in our votes, phone calls, and letters. God IS in control and maybe we don’t see or understand how He is going to accomplish things. FAITH that He will (do it His way), and obedience to pray will keep the UNITED STATES OF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE an ever present force and sound in the enemy’s ears. Let him be intimidated.
People are tired of Christians telling other people what to do, especially those of us who do not believe in God. People in the US voted for Obama, and they are not sheep. They are people who do not agree with the Republicans, the right wingers, or Christians. But they are still Americans and they voted for Obama, and until they vote him out, he is our President. Those of us who are not Republican rightwingers, who do not believe in god, had 8 years of nonsense and stupid policies from good ole Georgie. Look what that poor excuse for a White House administration brought us. Mitch McConnell said it well today–for the Repubs to win again, they are going to have to move away from the wingnuts. Otherwise, conservatism is done. And good riddence!
Unfortunately, the Author of this article is wrong in implied message in several respects, and leaves out much. When the Mexico City policy is implemented, funding is cut to all of those NGO’s in the same organization if even ONE of them in any country provides abortion or offers abortion referrals. The funding was cut roughly by 1/2 when Bush implemented the policy, so it was NOT spent elsewhere as the author suggests. Then when bush enacted his AIDs program in Africa, some of the funding was restored to these very same clinics under the order that none of it was spent to perform an abortion, but this was the policy that was already in effect since 1973.
It has been illegal for US $’s to be spent on abortions overseas since 1973, and none of the funding we send is spent on abortions-it’s spent on pregnancy prevention programs such as condom distribution, & sex education, etc. The idea is that when we provide $’s for pregnancy prevention, this frees up the clinics to provide more abortions. But the reverse is true: when we cut funds for pregnancy prevention in the 90′s from $540 million to $425 million, abortions went up by 2.2 million in these very same countries, there were 500,000 more miscarriages, 92,000 more infant deaths, etal…
We fund pregnancy prevention programs overseas, not abortions, so it’s not just disingenuous to suggest we fund abortions & cut funding, it’s a sick, twisted lie that has increased abortions by the tens of millions…
reading the comments to Val Lee’s letter we agree with Greg, Jesus came to the sick not the healthy, one thing does disturb us though with other letters, there seemed to be an air of resignation,because Obama was voted in, I know many of us christians are lifting this country up every day interceding for it. (it doesn’t matter if man or the enemy has caused this) I have never seen it fail with the Lord, He steps in and turns the situation around for His Glory and our blessing, but He will do it His way not the way we think He should do things,there is still hope for this country, it doesn’t stop with Obama, there are many promises in the Word for us to stand on and speak over it, remember there is life and death in the tongue, so lets start speaking health and healing over us, our families, our towns and our country, the most blessed in the world, God is still on His throne, wearing His crown and in control, and yes, we should be praying for Obama and His family, this is what the Lord commands us to do, and yes, we strongly oppose our tax dollars going for abortion, we have contacted our senators and let them know, if we’ll do our part the Lord will do His, and responding to Mary Hood’s letter, yes, the people clamoured for a king and got Saul, but the Lord also had David to take over, he’s the one when all of Israel were scared of goliath, David wasn’t because he knew his God would give him the victory, so let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, keep this country lifted up in prayer, do our part and see God move!
I am shocked that you people can really sit here and say that “God is at the helm.” I think it is important, not matter what your beliefs are, to realize that you alone are the owner of your life and YOU control a great degree of what will happen in your life.
The repealing of the Mexico City Policy is a wise decision, not because it will allow US funding for abortions to foreign clinics, which it will not (Helms Amendment of 1974), but because it will allow support for actual family planning which could in turn PREVENT many abortions including those which are done illegally and cause injury and death to many mothers. Furthermore, by promoting family planning and birth control, it will fight the spread of HIV/AIDS by restoring critical funding to NGOs that provide prevention information and services.
It’s not my business whether you believe in God or aliens, but please stop allowing your logic and reasoning to be distorted so badly by these sources. That kind of thinking scares me one hell of a lot more than any abortion clinic.
By: Nancy | January 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Thank you for the succinct summary.