Ahead of the annual March for Life being held Friday, January 23, 2026, in Washington, D.C., the Trump administration announced two policy changes designed to protect preborn life and promote the sanctity of human life.
On Thursday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a policy ending the use of human fetal tissue – derived from the bodies of aborted human babies – in NIH-supported research.
Taxpayer money will “no longer be used to support research involving human fetal tissue from elective abortions,” NIH said. The policy applies all NIH-supported extramural research, including grants, cooperative agreements, other transaction awards, and research and development contracts.
NIH-supported research using fetal tissue from aborted babies has declined since 2019, with 77 projects funded in Fiscal Year 2024.
“NIH is pushing American biomedical science into the 21st century,” said NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.
“This decision is about advancing science by investing in breakthrough technologies more capable of modeling human health and disease,” he added. “Under President Trump’s leadership, taxpayer-funded research must reflect the best science of today and the values of the American people.”
Additionally, the State Department announced the expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which bars taxpayer dollars from subsidizing abortions. The expansion will now also bar funds from supporting gender and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, Fox News reports.
The Mexico City Policy, first implemented by former President Ronald Reagan in 1984, requires foreign nongovernmental organizations receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars to certify they will not perform or promote abortions.
The policy was rescinded by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. It was reinstated and expanded by Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump.
After it was revoked by former President Joe Biden, President Trump reestablished the policy in a memorandum on January 24, 2025.
According to Fox News, President Trump expanded the policy in his first term to cover around $8 billion in foreign aid. Now, the new policy will go even further and “cover all nonmilitary foreign assistance to the tune of more than $30 billion.”
In President Trump’s second term, the Mexico City Policy has already cost International Planned Parenthood Federation and other major abortion providers around $100 million.
The dual initiatives are a good step forward for the pro-life movement, especially as hundreds of thousands of Americans gather to march for life. It should remind all pro-life supporters of the importance of raising our voices and advocating for life.
If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.
Related articles and resources:
Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy
Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate
New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill
Overcoming Abortion and Becoming a Force for Life
Photo from Getty Images.
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