Speaker Mike Johnson has assured some members of Congress and pro-life leaders that he will try to stop the resumption of Planned Parenthood funding, but he faces opposition from Democrats and even members of his own party.
Johnson told Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and other members of Congress that he is working to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding again on July 4, Smith told The Daily Signal.
“He said he’s doing everything he can to make sure that happens,” Smith said. “I have a great deal of respect for Speaker Johnson. I do believe he will do everything he can.”
President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” passed through the process of reconciliation, defunded Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, for one year. Reconciliation requires a simple majority vote instead of the usual 60 votes in the Senate.
However, the defunding provision expires on July 4, America’s 250th birthday.
“It would mar the event,” Smith said.
To the disappointment of the pro-life movement, Congress recently moved forward with a second “skinny” reconciliation bill that only included Department of Homeland Security funding to end the shutdown of the agency. Members want a larger third package to include various policy priorities, including an extension of the Planned Parenthood defund, additional funding for the Department of War, and possibly a measure to require voter identification.
Johnson said he hopes to use reconciliation to defund Planned Parenthood again.
“We’ve been very creative in how we’ve used that, and we’re intending to do that again,” he said at the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Gala on April 29.
However, pro-lifers are aware that a third package may not be possible, as even some Republicans are not on board with the move.
While Smith believes that Johnson is a “man of his word,” he understands that he doesn’t have the ability to “just say whatever I say happens.”
“I feel confident,” Smith said. “But I’m never overconfident in this job.”
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said he’s “100% supportive” of a third reconciliation bill to defund Planned Parenthood, though he isn’t convinced it’s possible.
“I’d love for us to extend the defunding of Planned Parenthood,” he said. “It should be one of the most important things that we would consider any third reconciliation bill.”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath on reconciliation 3.0 though. We’re gonna have to move pretty quick if we’re gonna do this,” he said, referencing the July 4 deadline.
House moderates, including Problem Solvers Caucus Chair Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., have expressed skepticism about a third package, and Senate Republicans have reportedly said it would undermine efforts to work on a bipartisan basis to pass regular appropriations bills.
“If Mike Johnson says we’re pitching for reconciliation, I will fight alongside him for it,” said veteran pro-life operative Tom McClusky, “but I really do not see how it happens.”
If a third reconciliation bill doesn’t have the votes, Johnson could try to pass a continuing resolution later in the year to defund Planned Parenthood, McClusky noted.
The Trump administration can do its part by restoring the Protect Life Rule, which prohibits Title X family planning funds from going toward abortions, McClusky added. The Department of Health and Human Services is developing a restored “Protect Life Rule,” an HHS official previously confirmed to The Daily Signal. It is unclear when the rule will be finalized.
The “language is written, has been seen by relevant eyes, and should be a slam dunk considering they did it around this time in the first administration,” McClusky said.
Freedom Caucus member Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., says it’s time to move on defunding Planned Parenthood for good.
“We wholeheartedly support it and a bill will be put forward if it’s not already,” he told The Daily Signal. “To me, it’s really important to get that in there.”
