Lankford Introduces Bill to Restrict Foreign Aid Funding for Abortion and Gender Programs

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U.S. Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Ted Budd of North Carolina are leading a new effort to permanently codify a Trump administration policy that blocks U.S. foreign aid dollars from being used to fund abortion, promote abortion access, or support DEI and gender ideology initiatives overseas. The “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act” aims to expand the Mexico City Policy, with supporters saying taxpayer money should sup…

Lankford Introduces Bill to Restrict Foreign Aid Funding for Abortion and Gender Programs

U.S. Senator James Lankford has introduced legislation that would permanently bar most U.S. foreign aid from being used to fund abortion-related services, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and gender ideology initiatives overseas. The Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act would codify a policy implemented by the Trump administration and expand restrictions previously established under the Mexico City Policy. That policy was put into place by the Reagan Administration in 1984 requiring foreign non-governmental organizations to certify they did not fund abortions. Lankford said the legislation is intended to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to support programs that conflict with the values of many Americans. “American taxpayers should never be forced to fund abortions or radical gender ideology, whether in the United States or abroad,” Lankford said. “I’ve consistently highlighted this kind of wasteful spending, and this bill codifies the Trump administration’s Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance policy, so these protections endure beyond any single administration.” Lankford introduced the measure alongside U.S. Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina. Several Republican senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, joined as co-sponsors. According to supporters, the legislation would expand existing restrictions by applying them to U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, international organizations, foreign governments and other entities receiving foreign assistance. It would also broaden the types of activities covered to include programs promoting DEI initiatives and gender ideology, in addition to abortion-related activities. The bill would apply to most non-military foreign assistance programs and includes a waiver process that could be used by the Secretary of State in certain circumstances. Supporters of the legislation argue the measure would prevent future administrations from using foreign aid programs to fund initiatives they view as political or ideological.