Tell Congress to Overturn President Obama's Backdoor Handout to Planned Parenthood

from Tony Perkins, President
Family Research Council

In December 2016, former President Obama's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a regulation blocking states from defunding Planned Parenthood from federal Title X family planning funds, effectively creating a backdoor handout for the abortion industry. This week, Congress has the opportunity to overrule Obama's harmful rule by passing Rep. Diane Black's (R-Tenn.) H.J. Res. 43, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Under the CRA, Congress has 60 legislative days to overturn agency rules like this one, and it requires only 51 votes in the Senate.

Title X is a federal grant program that provides funds for family planning services. Many states have passed laws to exclude such funds from going to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. While often Title X grants go to private entities, many states are the main grant recipient of these funds. Those states realize that money is fungible. When Planned Parenthood or other abortion clinics receive Title X family planning funding, it frees resources for them to spend more on abortion. The Title X law itself prevents funds from being used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning, but nowhere does the law say that grant recipients must include abortion providers. Obama's HHS rule is an executive overreach that is without basis in the law.

States should be free to prioritize health care providers they find most effective at offering comprehensive healthcare services, including family planning services, without being forced to comply with a new federal mandate to fill the coffers of abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. President Donald Trump has promised to support "defunding Planned Parenthood as long as they continue to perform abortions, and reallocating their funding to community health centers that provide comprehensive health care for women."

Your Congressman needs to hear from you to pass the CRA resolution of disapproval to overturn President Obama's Title X overreach! 

Please call your U.S. House Representative at (202) 225-3121 and urge him or her to vote FOR Rep. Black's H.J. Res. 43. After you've called, you can also send them an email by clicking on this link.  

Thank you for helping to end the forced partnership between the taxpayers and Planned Parenthood.

Family Research Council's mission is to advance faith, family and freedom in public policy and the culture from a Christian worldview.  For more information or to make a donation to help them in their work, please use this link.  

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link. Follow us on Facebook, Google, and Pinterest. Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  

National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.