Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act

119th Congress: H.R. 8582 ; S. 4436

The Problem

In January 2026, the State Department announced three final rules - packaged as the so-called “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance” policy - that dramatically expand the Global Gag Rule to advance the Trump administration’s anti-abortion, anti-trans, and anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts around the world.

Previous iterations of the Global Gag Rule prohibited foreign organizations receiving U.S. global health assistance from providing, referring, counseling, or advocating for abortion as a method of family planning, even with their own, non-U.S. funds. 

The new rules go much further by conditioning U.S. foreign assistance on what partners can do, say, or support on issues related to abortion, the rights of transgender people, and DEI – including when those activities are carried out with their own, non-U.S. funds.

Together, these rules weaponize U.S. foreign assistance by forcing entities to choose between accepting U.S. funding and carrying out their own human rights, public health, and development work with other resources. 

These policies threaten lifesaving programs, including HIV treatment and prevention programs, legal aid services, humanitarian assistance, and efforts to combat violence and discrimination, all while undermining the rights and well-being of women, LGBTQI+ persons, and other marginalized communities around the world.

What Does the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act Do?

The Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act would nullify the three rules and effectively block any federal agency from implementing or enforcing them, or other similar rules. As a result, entities receiving U.S. foreign assistance would not be forced to subscribe to the speech and service restrictions imposed by these regulations.

Broad Support

More than 90 LGBTQ+, civil rights, and health groups support the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act including ACLU, Advocates for Trans Equality, AIDS United, Center for Reproductive Rights, Council for Global Equality, Global Health Council, Planned Parenthood, Lambda Legal, and Human Rights Watch.

Current Status of the Bill?

The Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act was introduced on April 29, 2026, in the House of Representatives by Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and in the Senate by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

For more information, please contact legislation@hrc.org. Read about other federal legislation pertinent to the LGBTQ community on our full Federal Legislation page.