Trump Administration Plans to Destroy $9.7 Million in Birth Control Instead of Sending It to Women in Need

The Trump administration is facing backlash after confirming plans to destroy nearly $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, including long-acting birth control like IUDs and implants, rather than send them to women overseas who desperately need them. The move will cost taxpayers an additional $167,000 just to dispose of the supplies.

The contraceptives, originally purchased to support women in conflict zones and refugee camps, are stored in a warehouse in Belgium. Congressional aides who visited the site say the products were likely intended for women in Africa, many of whom have limited access to reproductive healthcare. Some of the contraceptives don’t expire until 2027, with most having well over half their shelf life left.

Lawmakers, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), are pushing to block the destruction, calling it a waste of taxpayer dollars and a blow to global efforts to prevent unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths.
The State Department defended the decision, citing U.S. laws that block funding to organizations that offer abortion services, counseling, or advocacy abroad. Officials also noted that rebranding and reselling the contraceptives would cost millions, though aides say many of the products don’t require relabeling.

The destruction is expected to be completed by the end of July, unless Congress steps in.