Bush to Ban Funds to Groups Offering Abortion
Jan 22 12:29pm ET
Rick Wilking/Reuters
By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush will soon sign an order barring federal funds to international family-planning groups that offer abortion services and counseling, a White House official said on Monday.
The decision, which could complicate Bush's vow to improve relations between Republicans and Democrats, came as thousands of anti-abortion protesters rallied in Washington to mark the 28th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision making abortion legal.
"We share a great goal: to work toward a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law," Bush said in a statement read to the rally by Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and abortion opponent.
"We know this will not come easily, or all at once. But the goal leads us onward: to build a culture of life, affirming that every person, at every stage and season of life, is created equal in God's image," Bush said.
A Bush aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush will sign the order soon.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer would not confirm that. But he said the abortion issue was an important issue and that "executive orders are possible at any time.
"The president does not support using taxpayer funds to provide abortions," Fleischer told reporters.
Bush's order would reverse a decision by President Clinton to allow federal funds to international family planning groups that offer abortion services and counseling.
Clinton suspended the measure known as the "global gag rule," which was put in place by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1984, as one of his first acts upon taking office in 1993.
The two sides have fought pitched battles over the issue with Republicans consistently seeking to bar U.S. money from going to these groups.
Bush opposes abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman. He said on the campaign trail he would sign legislation outlawing "partial birth" abortion.
He has said he would not try to ban the recently approved RU-486 abortion drug, although White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card signaled on Sunday that this regulation would be reviewed
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