Human Rights Watch is urging lawmakers to oppose a pending measure that would restore the Global Gag Rule banning U.S. funding for any international healthcare organization that performs abortions or advocates for the legalization of abortion, even if those activities are funded by non-U.S. money. The Global Gag Rule was seen by many as a major global barrier to access to crucial women’s health services before President Obama lifted it upon taking office. In a statement, Meghan Rhoad, a women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, “The Global Gag Rule has exacted a terrible cost in damage to the health of millions of women and the free speech rights of people around the world… It should be considered a shameful piece of past foreign policy, not a model for the future.”