Two recent federal policy decisions — expanding the Mexico City Policy and ending the federal practice of research on aborted fetal tissue — signify decisive steps towards aligning government action with respect for preborn human life.
At issue is the simple question: Should Americans be required to fund or promote abortion with taxpayer dollars? Polling consistently shows a clear majority of Americans say no, and now federal policy reflects those beliefs.
A 2026 Marist poll found that 69% of Americans oppose using taxpayer funds to support abortion services in other countries. Even in a nation deeply divided over the legality of abortion, Americans overwhelmingly agree — they should not be forced to fund or promote abortion beyond our borders.
Funding Abortion, DEI and Gender Ideology Abroad
The expanded Mexico City Policy, titled “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Policy,” addresses three new policy areas to strengthen the life-affirming value of human dignity, including abortion, DEI and gender ideology.
The Mexico City Policy was established by President Reagan over 40 years ago. In the time since, pro-abortion administrations have rescinded the rule, while pro-life administrations have reinstated it.
Historically, the policy applied to a narrow slice of foreign aid, about $300-$600 million in international family-planning funding.
Today, the new rule applies to almost all non-military foreign aid — nearly $40 billion impacting more than 160 countries.
The expanded rule on abortion, entitled “Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance,” aims to promote human flourishing by closing loopholes under the old policy that still allowed taxpayer dollars to subsidize abortion.
The rule expands the scope of the policy in three ways.
First, it applies the restriction not only to foreign non-governmental organizations, but also to United States non-governmental organizations, international organizations and foreign governments. Second, the rule applies to all non-military foreign aid, not just funds for healthcare assistance. Third, the rule provides more clarity in defining the scope of prohibited activities.
The United States continues to fund maternal care, disease prevention, nutrition, clean water and lifesaving treatments worldwide.
This rule change sends a clear message — American generosity should not be used to advance abortion.
For millions of Americans who believe it’s wrong to export abortion through foreign aid, this policy change represents long-overdue accountability.
In addition, the policy now also addresses programs promoting gender ideology that rejects biological reality, titled “Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance,” and DEI initiatives that many Americans believe undermine equality, entitled “Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance.”
Supporters see this as a natural extension of the policy’s original purpose — to ensure American generosity does not subsidize practices or ideologies that do not value human life.
Critics argue that this expansion moves beyond abortion into broader social policy-making.
But supporters respond that the rule does not prohibit any activity. It simply ensures that U.S. taxpayer dollars are not used to advance programs that disregard fundamental truths about human dignity or the reality of biological sex.
The inclusion of gender ideology and DEI provisions shifts the Mexico City Policy from a narrow health rule into a broader framework.
Practically. U.S. foreign aid may now depend not only on whether an organization performs abortions, but also on whether its policies reject the biological reality of sex or favor DEI outcomes.
Supporters see this change as closing a loophole that allowed taxpayers to fund a worldview that conflicts with human dignity.
Research on Aborted Babies
The second policy shift addresses how federal dollars are used for domestic research.
For many years, some federally funded research projects have relied on fetal tissue secured from elective abortions.
The policy change was announced by the National Institute for Health (NIH) at the end of January. NIH confirms that research using human fetal tissue has been in decline since 2019. In Fiscal Year 2024, there were 77 NIH-funded research projects using human fetal tissue.
Critics of the change caution that fetal tissue has historically contributed to scientific progress.
Supporters contend that research on fetal tissue raises serious ethical concerns, alternatives now exist, and medical advancement should not rely on the remains of aborted babies.
According to NIH, their decision to stop supporting research on aborted human fetal tissue is linked to the increasing availability of alternative technology, including induced pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells.
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya expressed his support for the change in a public statement, “NIH has undertaken a clear-eyed reassessment of long-standing research approaches to determine their relevance and value in today’s rapidly evolving scientific landscape. Central to this review is NIH’s responsibility to ensure that research supported by taxpayer funds is scientifically rigorous, ethically sound, and justified by a maximal return on the public’s investment.”
In a request for information published simultaneously, NIH announced it is seeking public comment about emerging biotechnology to reduce or replace human embryonic stem cell research entirely.
This policy change conveys the belief that true scientific advancement must not depend on ethically compromised science.
Ethical Accountability in Federal Policy
For the pro-life movement, these changes represent tangible progress. Public funding is not morally neutral.
For decades, abortion policy debates have focused on legality. These policy changes ask a different question: Is it morally acceptable to force taxpayers to fund abortion?
Recent federal action reflects a government willing to say no and instead recognize the value and significance of preborn human life while respecting the conscience of U.S. taxpayers.
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 an 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
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