Gagged No More

Some good news out of Washington: Congress voted last night to get rid of the Global Gag Rule, which denies funding to all international organizations that “perform abortions in cases other than a threat to the woman’s life, rape or incest; provide counseling and referral for abortion; or lobby to make abortion legal or more available in their country.” The bill was originally to provide contraception directly to international organizations affected by the Global Gag Rule. An amendment from Sen. Barbara Boxer proposed the total elimination of the Gag Rule. Last night, the law passed with the amendment in place.

Not only is this the first good reproductive justice news to come out of Washington in a long time, but it’s also a big F-U to President Bush. Bush’s first official duty as president to was to reinstate the Rule, which President Clinton had gotten rid of. Though the President has threatened to veto this bill (as he does with most good legislation out of this Congress), Congress’s move sends a clear message. And a good one.