A growing number of analysts suggest that a budget bill including an abortion funding ban would not pass.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has signaled that federal funding will resume for Planned Parenthood after the current one-year ban on Medicaid funds for abortion providers expires on July 4.
Pro-life advocates have been working to maintain the ban until its scheduled expiration, but it appears the reconciliation process will eliminate the ban entirely.
Last year, Johnson passed a two-year ban on federal funding for Planned Parenthood through the House. The measure was scaled back to one year during the reconciliation effort to secure Senate passage.
In response, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) urged Johnson and other Republicans to reconsider the decision. Cornyn stated: “I strongly supported defunding Planned Parenthood in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and have championed provisions to ensure federal tax dollars aren’t funding abortions throughout my career. Defending the right to life is fundamental and something all Republicans should fight for.”
Similarly, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri called the move a “massive betrayal,” adding: “Under no circumstance can Planned Parenthood be allowed to get taxpayer money for their abortions and gender transition insanity.”
A recent report from Planned Parenthood indicates it provided 434,450 abortions last year—the highest number recorded. The Live Action pro-life organization estimates this equates to approximately one child aborted every 73 seconds in the United States.
