Senate, House Republicans Propose Nationwide Abortion Restrictions

In a significant bipartisan effort, Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders announced legislation aimed at permanently repealing the Mexico City Policy, also known as the global gag rule, which restricts U.S. federal health aid related to abortion services globally. The proposed Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act, introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeanne Shaheen, seeks to allow organizations receiving U.S. funding to provide comprehensive healthcare, including legal abortion services. Concurrently, House Republicans, led by Rep. Andy Ogles, have reintroduced a proposal to ban medication abortions nationwide, imposing severe penalties on those who dispense abortion drugs, despite polling showing broad public support for such medications. Ogles' bill represents a shift from his earlier stance on abortion being a state issue and emphasizes the moral duty to protect life, including exceptions for certain medical scenarios. Meanwhile, Congressman Eric Burlison has proposed the