Congress allows measure defunding Planned Parenthood to expire

A provision in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act that blocked federal funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, expired Saturday, with no extension. The abortion giant will again have access to government grants, contracts, and Medicaid funds, which in 2024 amounted to more than $800 million, about 39% of the organization’s overall revenue, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Lila Rose of pro-life advocacy group Live Action pointed out that the funding block expired on the same day that Americans were celebrating liberty and the God-given right to life.

The abortion provider previously shut down all its facilities in Louisiana and at least one in Texas, apparently due to the funding cuts.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., attempted in April to add a section defunding Planned Parenthood to a budget reconciliation bill for the Department of Homeland Security. But his amendment failed in a late-night voting session. It needed approval from three-fifths of senators, but received only 50 yes votes and 48 no votes. The vote mostly broke down along party lines. A similar bill also introduced by Hawley hasn’t reached the Senate floor.

What about other sources of federal funding for abortion providers? The Trump administration in December 2025 quietly released over $65 million in Title X federal family planning grants to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. The funds cover pregnancy testing, contraceptives, and other services, but not abortion. The government previously withheld the money for months over concerns that the companies were funding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Pro-life groups accuse organizations like Planned Parenthood of using the money as a slush fund.

What have congressional leaders said about upcoming legislative priorities? House Speaker Mike Johnson told FOX on Sunday that Congress would work to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and a photo ID to vote. Lawmakers would use an arduous budget reconciliation process, he said, which requires a lower number of votes to pass. The measure, a Trump administration priority, previously failed to reach a vote in the Senate after four GOP lawmakers broke ranks and voted against advancing it.

Dig deeper: Listen to Lauren Canterberry’s report on black pastors’ opposition to a potential Virginia constitutional amendment removing pro-life protections.