Trump administration expands global ban on funding linked to abortion

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced yesterday the Trump administration would be expanding the so-called Mexico City policy, which prohibits the use of U.S. funding for foreign aid groups that promote or provide abortions. Now, any groups that abide by the rule but financially support organizations that don’t will be ineligible for U.S. aid. The policy was first put in place under President Reagan, rescinded by Democratic administrations thereafter, and reinstated by President Trump right after he took office. Critics of the rule — which revokes funding for all health services, and not just reproductive health — said that it would endanger the lives of women in developing countries.