New “Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance” rule adds abortion limits to some foreign aid grants

The U.S. Department of State is creating a new requirement for some foreign aid awards called “Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance.” The change is intended to implement a Presidential Memorandum from January 24, 2025 that reinstates the Mexico City Policy.

Under this new award term, the U.S. will impose abortion-related requirements on organizations and partners involved in certain foreign nongovernmental organization (NGO) grants and cooperative agreements. The rule applies to foreign NGOs, U.S. NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals that receive covered assistance.

The Federal Register notice says the Department is using existing authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other foreign assistance laws (including the FREEDOM Support Act, the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, and the SEED Act of 1989) to attach these terms and conditions to awards.

For the official details, see the Federal Register rulemaking: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01519/protecting-life-in-foreign-assistance