President Obama Reverses "Gag Rule" on Abortion

One day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Barack Obama signed an executive order reversing the so-called "gag rule." Also known as the "Mexico City policy," the previous executive order (signed by former President George W. Bush) prohibited the granting of federal funds to any organization that performed or discussed abortion as a reproductive health care procedure, even if this was done with their own non-government money.

President Obama also stated that he supports an American contribution to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and a prompt release of the funds following the enactment of 2009 omnibus appropriations bill.

According to the Rev. Carlton Veazey, President and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), "After eight years of a policy that contributed to the suffering of women and children worldwide, President Obama has put the United States back on the path of charity, hope and compassion."

More than 500,000 women in developing countries die each year from pregnancy-related causes, and 8 million more suffer serious complications, often due to pregnancies that occur at a young age or are too closely spaced.

The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has consistently affirmed the role of women as moral agents, and the right of women to make decisions about matters of reproductive health care affecting their own bodies, including abortion. Along with many mainline Protestant denominations and organizations from other communities of faith, Disciples for Choice is a member of the Religious Coalition.

To read the executive order signed by President Obama, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To find out more about the Religious Coalition, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To find out more about Disciples for Choice, please contact DJAN at disciplesjustice@comcast.net.