Site Search

Enter search terms:

Press Release

For Immediate Release
January 23, 2009

Contact: (202) 225-3965

Crowley Cheers President Obama’s Repeal of “Global Gag Rule”

With a stroke of the pen, President Obama repeals 8-year regulation withholding funds for family planning programs across the world

Washington, D.C. —

Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) cheered President Barack Obama’s repeal of the “Global Gag Rule” today. This decision will trigger the release of critical international development funds to family planning programs across the world.

“Today’s repeal of the Global Gag Rule is a victory for the health and welfare of millions of women and families world-wide,” said Congressman Joseph Crowley. “For the last eight years, health care providers abroad have faced unconstitutional restrictions on the advice they can give – tying one hand behind their back while working to provide the best care possible for millions of at-risk women. I applaud President Obama for lifting this un-American global gag rule and putting the health of women and children first.”

Congressman Crowley is a six-term member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a long-time advocate for international family planning programs. He has been fighting for eight years to restore funding to international family planning programs since then-President Bush reinstated the misguided global gag rule.

###