Obama Lifts Global Gag Rule

President Barack Obama issued an executive order lifting the Global Gage Rule.

"It will be today. He's going to make an executive order (lifting the global gag rule)," the official said.

The Democratic president's decision is a victory for advocates of abortion rights on an issue that in recent years has become a tit-for-tat policy change each time the White House shifts from one party to the other.

When the ban was in place, no U.S. government funding for family planning services could be given to clinics or groups that offer abortion services or counselling in other countries even if the funds for those activities come from non-U.S. government sources.

The policy did nothing to prevent unwanted prenancies and endangered the health of women. Congress should pass a law banning the Gag Rule.

Update: Cara has a related post.