Planned Parenthood to Sean Spicer: Access to Abortion Is An American Value

Washington, DC -- Today, in his first official White House briefing, when asked about Trump’s signing of an Executive Order reinstating the Global Gag Rule, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed that opposition to abortion was an “American value.” He also incorrectly characterized what the Global Gag Rule does -- it does not provide taxpayer funds for organizations overseas to provide abortion -- that is already prohibited by the Hyde Amendment and the Helms rule. It instead prohibits international organizations from receiving U.S. family planning funding if they mention or provide information about abortion,  or even refer for abortion services. The gag rule prohibits these activities even if organizations carry them out with their own, non-U.S. funding, and even if abortion is legal in their own country.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“This may be news for Sean Spicer, but access to safe, legal abortion is an American value. Record high numbers -- nearly seven out of ten Americans -- support access to safe, legal abortion. An estimated one in three women in America will have an abortion in her lifetime. In addition, the Global Gag Rule has nothing to do with funding for abortion, something already restricted by unfair federal law. What the Gag does is prohibit international organizations from even mentioning abortion or providing information to women. The world’s most vulnerable women will suffer as a direct result of this policy, which threatens to undermine years of efforts to improve women’s health worldwide. As the millions of women who marched this weekend in DC and across the country and around the globe made clear, the American people will not stand for attacks on women’s health or women’s rights, both here at home and abroad.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With over 650 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.