Pro-life activists are converging on Washington with a unified message that’s gaining momentum: stop taxpayer dollars from funding Planned Parenthood. The conservative coalition is rallying behind President Trump’s administration to redirect millions in federal funding away from what they call the “abortion industry” toward healthcare providers that align with traditional values.
At a glance:
• Over 150 pro-life organizations have signed a letter urging Congress to cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood
• Planned Parenthood receives more than $500 million in federal funds annually, representing about 34% of its revenue
• Pro-life groups claim that abortions comprise 97.1% of Planned Parenthood’s services, contrary to the organization’s lower estimates
• President Trump has already announced a funding freeze on family planning grants that include Planned Parenthood
• The Supreme Court will hear a case on South Carolina’s attempt to strip Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, potentially affecting similar efforts nationwide
Pro-Life Movement Unites Behind Defunding Campaign
Major anti-abortion organizations including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, and And Then There Were None have joined forces in an unprecedented display of unity. The coalition is specifically targeting the reconciliation bill as their opportunity to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood once and for all.
Leaders from the movement gathered on Capitol Hill to make their voices heard in what they described as a historic moment. Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life, stressed the significance of the unified approach.
“Today is a historic moment where the pro-life movement stands united behind one message: Defund Planned Parenthood,” said Hawkins, adding “Defund the entire abortion industry and defund their long-time standard bearer – Planned Parenthood – once and for all.”
The movement says it has gained substantial momentum with Trump’s presidency and Republican control of Congress.
Funding Facts and Alternative Options
Planned Parenthood currently receives over $500 million in federal funds annually, accounting for approximately 34% of its revenue for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Pro-life activists argue that these taxpayer dollars are indirectly supporting abortion services despite restrictions under the Hyde Amendment.
The controversy centers around conflicting statistics about what services Planned Parenthood actually provides. According to an analysis cited by pro-life organizations, abortions made up 97.1% of Planned Parenthood’s services in 2021 and 2022, a figure that sharply contradicts Planned Parenthood’s claim that abortions comprise less than 5% of its services.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville made his position clear on the issue. “Absolutely zero taxpayer dollars should be going to abortion,” he declared, reflecting the sentiment of many conservatives who object to federal funding for the organization.
Legal Battles and Administrative Actions
The fight to defund Planned Parenthood is advancing on multiple fronts, including through the judicial system. The Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case regarding South Carolina’s attempt to strip Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, which could establish precedent for similar efforts in other states.
President Trump has already taken executive action by announcing a funding freeze on family planning grants that included Planned Parenthood.
Pro-life advocates are also focusing on safety concerns at Planned Parenthood facilities. Reports of malpractice and unsafe conditions at various clinics have emerged, bolstering arguments against continued federal funding.
The coalition of pro-life groups plans to maintain pressure on Congress and return to Washington, D.C. for the Supreme Court hearing on Medicaid funding.
