Obama lifts funding ban

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday striking down a rule prohibiting U.S. money from funding international family planning groups that promote abortion or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion services.

Known as the "Mexico City policy," the ban was initially put in place by President Ronald Reagan and was suspended during Bill Clinton's presidency. President George W. Bush reinstated the policy days after taking office in 2001.

Opponents of the policy refer to it as the "global gag order."