On Friday, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) announced legislation defunding Planned Parenthood as thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., for the March for Life – the first time the annual event has been held since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.
In a tweet, Boebert announced, “I’ve introduced my first bill of the 118th Congress. It would defund Planned Parenthood. We need to protect the sanctity of life in this country. To all those marching at the March For Life, let’s rally behind this bill and get it done!”
According to Planned Parenthood’s most recent annual report covering 2020-2021, taxpayers gave $633 million to its affiliates in the year ending June 30, 2021. A total of 383,460 abortion procedures were recorded, up from 354,871 in the previous report, according to the group, which provides health care services to women.
Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade last year, Planned Parenthood used tax dollars and launched mobile abortion centers and would travel to the borders of states that moved to ban abortion.
Following this move, many pro-life groups, including the organization Live Action called for the defunding of Planned PArenthood.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the group’s advocacy arm, claims on its website that when politicians talk about “defunding” Planned Parenthood, they’re really talking about preventing patients from getting care at Planned Parenthood health centers that rely on public health care funds.
Boebert’s legislation, which has 29 co-sponsors, prevents federal tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates for one year unless these entities certify they will not provide funds or services geared toward abortion. This moratorium has exceptions, including abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk.
According to the “Defund Planned Parenthood Act,” secretaries of the Health and Human Services Department and Agriculture Department must seek repayment of federal assistance received by Planned Parenthood or its affiliates who violate their certifications.
In addition, Boebert’s bill aims to appropriate $235,000 for community health center programs under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act.
Under Boebert’s genius bill, taxpayers would no longer be obligated to finance the organization with its $633 million annual contributions – preventing them from providing abortions to the public. For those who are pro-life, Boebert’s bill is an important effort to protect unborn baby lives and send a clear message that defending innocent life is paramount. As Americans grapple with one of the most divisive debates in modern politics, the congresswoman’s legislation represents a major victory in the pro-life movement as they continue their fight to protect innocent life.
