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Obama reverses Bush's abortion policy
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President Barack Obama during first week in office.
President Barack Obama is doing what every new Commander and Chief does; he's repealing policies set by his predecessor that he doesn't agree with. Late Friday afternoon, Obama struck down the "Mexico City Policy." It's a law that banned federal dollars from being used to fund international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information. The name comes from the city where a U.S. delegation first announced the law at a UN International Conference on Population. The Mexico City Policy was first adopted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, was ended by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and then reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001. Obama's reversal of the Mexico City Policy was welcomed by liberal pro-life groups across the country.
In a statement released by the White House, President Obama says the ban "was unnecessarily broad and undermines family planning in developing countries." In the coming weeks Obama plans to initiate "fresh conversation on family planning." He says he wants to find "common ground on needs of women and families at home and around the world."
Obama's action comes as no surprise to people who followed the Illinois legislator. While a state lawmaker and former U.S. Senator, Obama showed strong voting record in support of abortion rights. He even told a national gathering of Panned Parenthood members in July of 2007 that the first thing he would do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice act.
House Minority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) says repealing the Mexico City Policy now forces taxpayers to subsidize abortions overseas.
At a time when our nation is under economic stress, is this appropriate action? Should U.S. tax payer money go to an organization thousands of miles away. How does this use of federal money create jobs for working Americans who need to pay for school for their children or pay a mortgage to keep their home? Could providing information about condoms cost less? Why not educate people how not to get pregnant? That could end family planning problems all around the world and not waste U.S. tax money that could be directed to more important programs here at home.
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