Published on January 24, 2025
This executive order revokes two previous executive orders from 2022 and reaffirms the Hyde Amendment's restrictions on federal funding for elective abortions. The order directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to federal agencies regarding implementation, explicitly stating its purpose is to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding or promoting elective abortions.
While framed as a protection of taxpayer interests, this order could be viewed as a strategic move to expand executive control over healthcare funding mechanisms beyond just abortion services. The deliberately broad language regarding "promoting" abortion, combined with the directive for OMB to issue implementation guidance, creates significant interpretative latitude that could be used to restrict a wider range of healthcare services and organizations tangentially connected to abortion services. The timing and structure suggest this may be part of a larger strategy to reshape federal healthcare funding mechanisms while avoiding direct legislative challenges.
While ostensibly focused on protecting taxpayer interests regarding abortion funding, this executive order's broad implementation authority and vague terminology create potential for wider-reaching impacts on healthcare funding and access. The public should carefully monitor how the OMB interprets and implements these directives, as the real impact may extend far beyond the stated scope of abortion services.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and Policy. For nearly five decades, the Congress has annually enacted the Hyde Amendment and similar laws that prevent Federal funding of elective abortion, reflecting a longstanding consensus that American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for that practice. However, the previous administration disregarded this established, commonsense policy by embedding forced taxpayer funding of elective abortions in a wide variety of Federal programs.It is the policy of the United States, consistent with the Hyde Amendment, to end the forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion. Sec. 2. Revocation of Orders and Actions. The following Executive Orders are hereby revoked:(a) Executive Order 14076 of July 8, 2022; and(b) Executive Order 14079 of August 3, 2022. Sec. 3. Implementation. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall promulgate guidance to the heads of executive departments and agencies related to implementation of sections 1 and 2 of this order. Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 24, 2025.