Presidential Action on the Mexico City Policy
This memorandum, dated January 24, 2025, revokes a 2021 directive and reinstates the Mexico City Policy from January 23, 2017.
It directs U.S. health aid efforts globally to ensure taxpayer dollars do not support coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization programs.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: Aligns US foreign aid with the administration's stance on abortion; ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to fund organizations that promote practices the administration opposes.
- Evidence cited: Relies on the Presidential Memorandum of January 23, 2017, which established the Mexico City Policy.
- Implementation methods: Directs the Secretaries of State and Health and Human Services to implement the policy and extend its reach to all relevant global health assistance.
- Legal/historical basis: Cites and reinstates a previous presidential memorandum, implying a continuation of a pre-existing policy.
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: May limit access to vital reproductive healthcare services in developing countries; could harm relationships with international organizations and NGOs; potential for unintended consequences in already fragile health systems.
- Implementation challenges: Determining which organizations and programs qualify for restrictions; ensuring compliance across various government agencies and international partners; potential for legal challenges.
- Alternative approaches: Focusing on promoting comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education; increasing funding for family planning programs that don't involve abortion; investing in robust healthcare systems in developing countries.
- Unintended effects: Damage to US international reputation; strain on relationships with allied countries; increased maternal mortality in some regions.
01/24/25 SUBJECT: The Mexico City Policy
I hereby revoke the Presidential Memorandum of January 28, 2021, for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad), and reinstate the Presidential Memorandum of January 23, 2017, for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (The Mexico City Policy).
I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated Memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies.
I further direct the Secretary of State to take all necessary actions, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund organizations or programs that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
The memorandum dated January 24, 2025, revokes a 2021 policy and reinstates a 2017 one known as the Mexico City Policy.
It commands that U.S. health-related international aid must ensure compliance with this policy.
Specifically, it stops U.S. funds from supporting foreign programs that engage in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
Finally, it clarifies that the memorandum does not grant any enforceable rights.