We’ve seen how anti-choice policymakers continue to chip away at reproductive rights and essential health care in the United States, but how well do you know the impacts of U.S. policies abroad?

The Global Gag Rule forces foreign NGOs to choose between receiving U.S. global health funding and providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care to the people they serve. And while it’s not currently in effect, the Global Gag Rule has not yet been permanently repealed and could easily be reinstated by a future president.

That’s why PAI is working to pass the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act, which would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule and end this disastrous policy once and for all.

Next question ➡️

The Global Gag Rule is a policy dating back to the Reagan administration that forbids foreign NGOs from receiving U.S. aid for global health if they even mention abortion. And while it’s not currently in effect, the Global Gag Rule has not yet been permanently repealed and could easily be reinstated by a future president.

That’s why PAI is working to pass the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act, which would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule and end this disastrous policy once and for all.

In 1973, as supporters of abortion rights were still celebrating the Roe v. Wade ruling, anti-choice Senator Jesse Helms scored a victory for the opposition by prohibiting the use of U.S. foreign assistance funding to provide safe abortion services abroad — even in countries where abortion is legal. Nearly 50 years later, Roe has been overturned, but the Helms amendment is still in place.

The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere (AHCE) Act — which PAI played a critical role in crafting — would eliminate the Helms amendment and reduce the number of unsafe abortions by around 19 million annually, saving thousands of lives.

In 1973, as supporters of abortion rights were still celebrating the Roe v. Wade ruling, anti-choice Senator Jesse Helms scored a victory for the opposition by prohibiting the use of U.S. foreign assistance funding to provide safe abortion services abroad — even in countries where abortion is legal. Nearly 50 years later, Roe has been overturned, but the Helms amendment is still in place.

The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere (AHCE) Act — which PAI played a critical role in crafting — would eliminate the Helms amendment and reduce the number of unsafe abortions by around 19 million annually, saving thousands of lives.

The Global HER Act and the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act were reintroduced in Congress recently, and PAI will continue to fight for the passage of both pieces of legislation over the coming months.

While the Global Gag Rule can be rescinded through a presidential memorandum (as President Biden did in early 2021), it will take Congress passing legislation to permanently repeal it, as well as do away with the Helms amendment.

The Global HER Act and the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act were reintroduced in Congress recently, and PAI will continue to fight for the passage of both pieces of legislation over the coming months.

We have a long road ahead of us, but — with your support — we can put an end to U.S. policies that harm women, young people and at-risk communities around the world.