The State Department is finalizing a significant expansion of the Mexico City Policy to further prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from supporting abortion overseas. The policy shift will reportedly also extend the restrictions to programs tied to gender ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Under the changes, foreign and U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations receiving U.S. taxpayer dollars would have to certify that they do not provide or promote abortion, advocate for gender ideology, or support DEI initiatives deemed unlawful, according to a Jan. 22 FOX News report. The updated policy would apply to all nonmilitary U.S. foreign assistance, totaling more than $30 billion annually.
Earlier versions of the Mexico City Policy did not cover all nonmilitary foreign aid but applied only to U.S. family planning funds. During his first term, President Donald Trump expanded the Mexico City Policy to cover most global health assistance, about $8 billion, according to FOX. The new update would extend the restrictions even further – far beyond health-related programs.
Republican President Ronald Reagan established the Mexico City Policy in 1984 during a United Nations conference in Mexico City, preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars from supporting organizations that promote or perform abortions overseas. Since its creation, the policy has been repeatedly rescinded by Democratic and reinstated by Republican administrations. Former President Joe Biden revoked the policy during his first week in office, and Trump reinstated it in January 2025.
According to FOX, the State Department is expected to finalize the policy Jan. 23 — the same day as the March for Life in Washington, D.C., which draws tens of thousands of pro-life advocates from across the country to stand up for the unborn every year. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to deliver remarks at the 2026 March for Life, along with Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and others.