A number of centrist Republican lawmakers have expressed their reluctance to support the inclusion of measures to defund Planned Parenthood in a major legislative package aimed at pushing forward President Trump’s second-term goals.
An insider within the GOP, knowledgeable about the ongoing House discussions on Trump’s proposed “one, big beautiful” bill, mentioned to the Post that the more moderate faction within the caucus is against adding clauses that would direct funding cuts to the abortion and reproductive healthcare provider. This is despite some lawmakers wanting these cuts included in the large reconciliation effort.
During a private meeting on Tuesday, Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) opposed the proposed cuts to Planned Parenthood. This gathering also included House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), as reported by NOTUS on Wednesday.
âI think thereâs other policy areas that we need to focus on,â Fitzpatrick told the outlet ahead of the meeting, noting that he planned to bring up the rumblings around cuts targeting abortion providers.
âWe need simplicity in this bill,â he added.
Lawler expressed concern that potential cuts to the nonprofit and conservative lightning rod would impact the ability of women to access health care.
âObviously, Planned Parenthood does provide a lot of services outside of abortion-related services,â the congressman noted, telling NOTUS that he is ânot for taking away peopleâs health care.â
A Kiggans spokesperson told the outlet that the congresswoman âis proudly pro-life and firmly opposes any federal funding for abortion.”
â[Kiggans] attended a closed-door policy discussion with House leadership and Republican colleagues focused on Medicaid reform within the broader reconciliation process. The Congresswoman supports thoughtful, targeted Medicaid reforms that strengthen the program, preserve its integrity, and ensure it serves those who it was originally intended to help,â the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, Johnson contended that defunding Planned Parenthood âwas not on our agenda.â
The House speaker, however, told a conservative audience last week that âbig abortionâ would be targeted for cuts in the megabill.
âIn the weeks ahead, the House is gonna be working on the one big, beautiful bill,â Johnson said during a speech at the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America gala. âWeâre absolutely making it clear to everybody that this bill is going to redirect funds away from big abortion and to federally qualified health centers.â
The Hyde Amendment already prevents taxpayer dollars from being directly used to cover the cost of abortions.
Federal money Planned Parenthood receives to cover other services â through the Medicaid program, for example â could be targeted in an effort to indirectly deliver a blow to the abortion providerâs bottom line.
The reconciliation bill is expected to include provisions extending Trumpâs first-term tax cuts, increasing funding for border security and raising the nationâs debt ceiling.
As part of the scramble to pass the legislation by the Fourth of July, House lawmakers are looking for ways to cut between $800 million to $1.5 trillion in spending to offset the cost of Trumpâs priorities.
