Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee; Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus (RFC); and Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the RFC International Women’s Rights Task Force sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the Trump Administration’s actions to terminate all international family planning programs.

The Trump Administration’s decision to terminate all international family planning programs represents a reckless and dangerous assault on reproductive health care access worldwide. These programs have long been a cornerstone of U.S. global health efforts—providing life-saving care, supporting maternal and child health, and empowering individuals with the tools to make informed reproductive choices. For decades, U.S.-funded international family planning initiatives have helped expand access to contraceptives, HIV prevention, safe childbirth, and reproductive health services across dozens of countries.

“We write to express alarm at the reckless reported cancellation of international family planning and reproductive health programs, which in Fiscal Year 2024 alone were estimated to save the lives of 34,000 women and girls, prevent 5.2 million unsafe abortions, and serve 47.6 million women and couples around the world with modern contraceptive care… The consequences of halting these programs are not hypothetical,” the Members said. “What is the Administration’s assessment of how many women and girls will be impacted by the cancellation of family planning and reproductive health programs?”

The Members also expressed their outrage that the decision to eliminate these programs jeopardizes the health and futures of millions in low- and middle-income countries, while undermining global public health progress and U.S. diplomatic credibility.

“For more than six decades, the United States has led the world in supporting voluntary international family planning and reproductive health programs… These efforts are proven to reduce unintended pregnancies, prevent maternal and child deaths, promote women’s empowerment and the ability to safely and freely grow their families, and lift families out of poverty,” the Members continued. “They also advance U.S. national interests and make our nation safer, stronger, and more prosperous by contributing to global health, stability, and economic growth.”

For full text of the letter, click here.

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