Boise City Wire

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has expressed strong disapproval of the Trump Administration's decision to reinstate the Global Gag Rule (GGR). This policy, also known as the Mexico City Policy, prohibits federal funding for foreign non-governmental organizations that use their own funds to provide abortion services or information as part of comprehensive family planning services.

Shaheen criticized this move by stating: “The Trump Administration’s reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule is a reckless and dangerous move that puts the lives of women and girls around the world at risk." She emphasized that during the previous Trump Administration, this policy had severe impacts on family planning services globally, leading to clinic closures in areas where they were most needed. This resulted in increased maternal and child mortality rates, HIV rates, unplanned pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. Shaheen noted that vulnerable populations in underserved regions would suffer most from these negative effects.

She called for legislative action against what she described as a "cruel policy," saying: "Women and girls’ lives should never be a pawn in ideological battles. It’s time for Congress to act and permanently repeal this cruel policy.”

Shaheen has been an active advocate for repealing the GGR. Alongside Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, she introduced the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act in 2017 and 2019 to permanently end this rule. Additionally, she led an amendment aimed at ending the GGR while increasing funds for international family health planning and reproductive health programs within annual appropriations bills.

In 2023, Shaheen reintroduced the Global HER Act with Senator Murkowski; it was cosponsored by 49 U.S. Senators. She has consistently urged Congressional leadership to include a permanent repeal of the GGR in government funding legislation.