DeLauro, Lee Statement on Biden Executive Actions Promoting Reproductive Health

House Appropriations Committee and Labor-Education-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) released the following statement on President Biden's executive actions promoting reproductive health in the United States and around the world:

"The Trump administration's ideological assault on reproductive health was a disgrace, and President Biden's decision to overturn the global gag rule and review the domestic gag rule is welcome news.

"The Trump administration's lack of trust in individuals to make health care choices that are best for them and their families, and in providers to provide medically accurate information, harmed millions of people across the country. We urge the Biden-Harris administration to move as quickly as possible to complete this review and to fully repeal the Title X Domestic Gag Rule. We stand ready to work with the administration and Title X providers that were forced out of the program to make sure the funding is there for them to participate again. And moving forward, we must work with patients and providers to strengthen the Title X program and ensure safeguards are in place, so patient care is never compromised again.

"The Global Gag Rule should have never been reinstated in the first place, and we are pleased that the Biden-Harris administration is repealing this harmful policy. It is inexcusable to export an ideological assault on family planning around the globe, harming women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. The previous administration's sweeping gag rule limited access, not just to family planning, but for maternal and child health programs, including vaccinations; HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; malaria and TB programs; and nutrition programs.

"As Appropriators, we are committed to working with the Biden-Harris administration to build on today's important actions to ensure full access to reproductive health care."