abortion

Conservative Lawmakers Propose Budget Bill Defunding Big Abortion – Again

Conservative lawmakers recently unveiled a budget bill containing numerous pro-life policies with a full defund of Big Abortion organizations – including Planned Parenthood.

The Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) budget blueprint was unveiled on Jan. 8 by RSC Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) and Budget and Spending Task Force Chair Beth Van Duyne (R-TX). Titled “Restoring America’s Golden Age,” it contains proposals to beef up border security, cut wasteful spending, reform entitlement programs and increase American energy production.

The budget provides a “comprehensive fiscal roadmap that balances the federal budget within ten years, and returns spending to pre-pandemic levels.”

The budget also contains numerous pro-life policies. It “ensures Planned Parenthood no longer benefits from taxpayer dollars” and “completely eliminates Title X Family Planning funding to save the lives of countless innocent children.”

According to an RSC press release, the budget focuses on “making the American Dream affordable again” by:

  • Restoring the American dream of homeownership.
  • Delivering healthcare freedom and lower drug prices.
  • Reducing energy bills and gasoline prices.
  • Rebuilding the American family by eliminating marriage penalties, supporting stay-at-home parents and eviscerating radical gender ideology.
  • Cutting wasteful government spending.
  • Codifying President Trump’s executive orders.

“At its core, the RSC Budget is a fundamental rejection of the excessive government spending and regulatory overreach that characterized the Biden Administration’s approach to government,” the RSC budget reads.

The RSC is a congressional caucus of conservative members in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was formed in 1973 by Paul Weyrich and others to help advance conservative priorities and check the House’s Republican leadership, which they saw as too moderate. Currently 188 congressmen are members of the RSC.

Additionally, the budget supports multiple pro-life bills and priorities, including:

  • Rep. Warren Davidson’s (R-OH) bill, the Aid Accountability Act, which would eliminate funding for any federal employee or non-governmental organization violating the Helms Amendment, which prohibits the use of any U.S. foreign aid to perform or encourage abortion.
  • Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-TX) bill, the No Taxpayer Funding for the U.N. Population Fund, which would prohibit any federal agency from giving taxpayer dollars to the U.N. Population Fund – which has supported China’s population-control programs, including forced abortions and sterilizations.
  • Rep. Eric Burlison’s (R-MO) bill, the Life at Conception Act, which would recognize unborn children as “persons” under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
  • Rep. Mark Harris’ (R-NC) bill, the Teleabortion Prevention Act, which would make it a federal offense for doctors to send abortion pills through the mail.
  • Rep. Mike Kelly’s (R-PA) bill, the Heartbeat Protection Act, which would prohibit abortions when a baby’s heartbeat is detected.
  • Rep. Ann Wagner’s (R-MO) bill, the Born-Alive Survivor’s Protection Act, which would ensure medical protections for babies who survive an attempted abortion.

The budget blueprint provides a roadmap for a second reconciliation bill in the 119th Congress. Republicans utilized the reconciliation process last year to enact the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which President Donald J. Trump signed into law on July 4.

The reconciliation process, a budget maneuver provided for under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, allows a budget bill to be passed with only a majority vote (51 votes) in the Senate, rather than the usually required three-fifths majority.

The OBBBA contained a provision defunding Big Abortion organizations – including Planned Parenthood – of all taxpayer dollars, costing the nation’s largest abortion mill roughly $850 million. However, the provision lasts only for one year.

“With so much of President Trump’s America First agenda still to enact,” the RSC added, “failing to seize this opportunity would be political malpractice.”

“The first reconciliation bill launched America’s Golden Age through economic and security reforms. The next reconciliation bill should focus on cementing the progress we’ve made on affordability in order to restore the American Dream for every family.”

Not every provision of the RSC’s proposal will be retained as the budget process moves forward. Nevertheless, it’s greatly encouraging that the RSC budget contains so many strong pro-life provisions.

Let’s hope and pray that if the House and Senate pass a second reconciliation bill later this year, Big Abortion providers will be defunded – again.

If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.

Related articles and resources:

My Choice Network

I’m Pregnant, Now What?

Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy

Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate

New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill

Overcoming Abortion and Becoming a Force for Life

Appeals Court Upholds Defunding of Big Abortion Businesses

House Passes ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act,’ Finally Defunding Planned Parenthood

Photo from Getty Images.

Taxpayer Money Should Never Go to Planned Parenthood For Any Reason Ever

It might surprise you to learn that the Trump administration has restored millions of dollars in funding to pro-abortion groups, including Planned Parenthood.

Last spring, federal monies designated for the “Title X Family Planning Program” had been frozen — a move widely celebrated by pro-life advocates. The federal program, which dates to 1970, is a welfare subsidy that ostensibly offers “family planning services” to low-income individuals. Groups who facilitate these offerings include the abortion giant Planned Parenthood.

Advocates for the program claim that the federal funds provide critical services for the poor — birth control, sexually transmitted disease testing, cancer screenings, etc. 

Yet, dollars are fungible, and the prospect of providing any amount of money, let alone tens of millions of dollars, to groups that champion and celebrate the slaughter of innocent lives is deeply disturbing and objectionable.

When Trump administration officials froze the money last year, they suggested the groups were in possible violation of numerous laws, including servicing illegal aliens and engaging “in widespread practices across hiring, operations, and patient treatment that unavoidably employ race in a negative manner.”

Not surprisingly, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association demanding that grants worth upwards of $65.8 million be restored to Planned Parenthood and the other groups earmarked for the funds. 

According to the lawsuit, the dollars were set to be distributed to 865 service sites thatare treating 842,000 individuals.

The lawsuit was dropped after the funding was restored, apparently in December. Administration officials have not responded to requests to explain their decision. But Clare Coleman, who heads up the National Family Planning group that championed the legal action, claimed officials were guilty of “illegally” withholding “vital family planning funds.”

At the core of the problem is a broken system that can tie the hands of government officials who may want to stop feeding the abortion machine but seem helpless in stopping it. 

Kristan Hawkins, who serves as president of Students for Life, is calling on the government to “debar” Planned Parenthood. Basically, through legislation and policies they would ban the abortion behemoth from contracting with the federal government. 

“Planned Parenthood needs a full DOGE experience, of evaluating them for fraud and for all the allegations of failure to report sex crimes or operating a racist work environment, to name only a few of the charges recently made,” Hawkins said.

Another tactic that could slow and stop any federal monies from going to such groups would be to reinstate “The Protect Life Rule” which was enacted during President Trump’s first term.

As drafted and enforced, it required any organization that received Title X funds not to provide abortions or refer patients for abortion. The Biden administration rescinded the rule in 2021.

President Trump ignited a firestorm earlier this month when he urged Republicans “to be a little flexible on Hyde” — an amendment that bans taxpayer dollars from funding abortion itself. At issue is Congress attempting to extend ObamaCare subsidies. A bill recently passed by the House didn’t include the Hyde protections. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. 

It’s a good thing when principled pro-lifers push back on legislators and a president otherwise friendly in so many ways to the pro-life cause. With the reversal of Roe in 2022, abortion remains a hot button issue at both the federal and state level. Some may have grown weary of the battle, but the fate of innocent lives remains at stake every single day. 

When it comes to our resolve concerning the defense of babies in the womb, the words of the 17th century German theologian Rupertus Meldenius comes to mind:

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

The sanctity of life may be debated in a political realm, but it is a moral principle.

Just ahead of the annual “National March for Life,” please join us in praying that administration officials will either reinstate “The Protect Life Rule” or once and for all defund Planned Parenthood and stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to any group even remotely associated with abortion.

The Untold Story of How Cardinal Dolan Helped Make a Times Square Pro-Life Rally Possible

Many evangelicals are aware of Timothy Michael Dolan, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York’s 2.8 million Catholics.

Cardinal Dolan, as he is called, will be retiring next month. He’s been a priest for almost 50 years, and at his current post since 2009. As a result of Canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law, bishops are required to submit their resignation at the age of 75, which Cardinal Dolan did earlier this year. He’ll be officially turning things over to Bishop Ronald Hicks.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal last month, the Reverend Raymond de Souza called his friend a happy warrior — an apt description. He explained:

The premise of Cardinal Dolan’s pastoral approach is that it is easier to do hard things with a lightness of spirit. Things are easier if you are having fun. Following Jesus is already challenging enough without the added burden of being chronically annoyed, angry or aggrieved.

Cardinal Dolan exhibited that lightness of spirit the day Focus on the Family president Jim Daly joined him in his First Avenue office on a snowy January day back in 2014. I had the privilege of accompanying him that day and was honored to meet the Catholic prelate. I had admired Cardinal Dolan from a distance since his appointment. His public persona of a “hail fellow well met” guy was well known.

Greeting us warmly, we were ushered into his office. He immediately started asking questions, inquired about our personal backgrounds, family, ministry efforts, our hopes and dreams. The conversation turned to baseball. Growing up in St. Louis, he idolized Stan Musial. We had just passed the one-year anniversary of Stan’s death. Dolan said being a fan of his “made him proud to now be a Cardinal.”

Jim Daly and Cardinal Dolan spent some time talking about their mutual commitment to preserving and protecting innocent preborn life. They discussed the upcoming March for Life in Washington, D.C., adoption, efforts to save more babies, and specifically, Focus on the Family’s Option Ultrasound program. The two happy Irishmen parted ways with promises to remain in touch and to continue looking for ways to work together.

There were notes and conversations in the proceeding years, but nothing as significant as in the spring of 2019 when Focus on the Family announced plans to feature a live ultrasound in New York City’s Times Square on Saturday, May 4.

The audacious idea was hatched after the New York State Legislature passed a radical abortion bill that expanded and increased the deaths of preborn babies. In fact, many of the legislators literally cheered its passage on the chamber floor. The Empire State Building was specially lit to commemorate the politician’s embrace of the culture of death.

“Let’s broadcast a live ultrasound on a big screen in Times Square,” suggested Daly. The team reached out to owners of the various digital billboards. All of them eagerly took our calls — until they heard what we wanted to put up on their screens. Suddenly, they didn’t have any availability, despite having plenty moments earlier.

We decided to rent our own screens, which would be pulled in on big trucks. But an event of this caliber and scope required special permitting from the city. We were told city officials would likely frown on allowing such a high-profile pro-life event. The New York City Police Department also needed to approve — and given the controversial subject matter, it was unlikely they would sign off on such a spectacle.

Back at Focus headquarters, teams were praying daily for the many details of the event, which we decided to title, “Alive From New York.” Messages and emails weren’t being returned very quickly from city officials. We were told that if approval came at all, it would likely take a long time. With the days ticking away, we had to plan as if it would happen despite not having approval to hold it.

It was the writer of Ecclesiastes (traditionally thought to be King Solomon) who observed, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (4:12). Amid the delay, Jim Daly reached out to Cardinal Dolan to brief him on our plans. He was excited and the archbishop offered to help break the logjam.

Over the years, Focus had also forged a relationship with not only Cardinal Dolan, but also the “Sisters of Life,” a religious community in New York City dedicated to supporting women navigating unplanned pregnancies. A colleague and I visited a representative of the group during a visit to New York to see if they might be willing to help us navigate city politics.

When approval finally came the night before the event, we later found out it was Cardinal Dolan, along with the Sisters of Life, who had pressed the issue on our behalf. Over 20,000 people packed Times Square that next day — the largest ever pro-life rally in New York.

Scripture makes clear the power of relationships, especially when it comes to partnering with likeminded people and groups. There was no way of knowing back on that snowy day in 2014 that a friendly meeting would five years later lead to a remarkable day at the “Crossroads of the World” — but that’s just how the Lord works.

We wish Cardinal Dolan a productive and happy retirement.

Colorado Pays $6.1 Million for Trying to Ban Abortion Pill Reversal

Colorado has agreed to pay $6.1 million in attorney fees for its unconstitutional attack on abortion pill reversal that was struck down by a federal court.

The state will pay $5.4 million in attorneys fees to Becket, and another $700,000 to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

The ruling represents a significant victory in the fight for life in a notoriously pro-abortion state.

The Law

In 2023, Colorado passed a bill (SB23-109) to become the first state in the nation to ban abortion pill reversal (APR).

As reported by the Daily Citizen, the law prohibits Colorado health care providers from prescribing medication to women who change their minds after beginning a chemical abortion and want to stop the process to save their preborn baby’s life.

In a chemical abortion, a pregnant woman takes two drugs that together are called the “abortion pill” The first drug, mifepristone, kills the baby by depriving it of the essential pregnancy hormone progesterone. The second pill, misoprostol, causes the mother’s body to expel the dead baby.

If a woman has a change of heart after she takes the first pill, she may be able to reverse the abortion with abortion pill reversal. APR uses the natural hormone progesterone to reverse the abortion pill’s effects.

Incredibly, medical professionals are able to save 64-68% of pregnancies through APR.

The Lawsuit

Bella Health and Wellness, a Catholic pro-life healthcare clinic in Denver, Colorado, provides APR as a part of its mission to serve women.

The clinic, represented by Becket, sued Colorado over the law, contending it violated the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.

In October 2023, U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico issued a preliminary injunction preventing Colorado from enforcing the law against Bella.

Subsequently, nurse practitioner Chelsea Mynyk, represented by ADF, intervened in the lawsuit and likewise obtained protection to perform APR.

In August 2025, Judge Domenico granted a permanent injunction protecting Bella and Ms. Mynyk as they continue to perform APR.

The Spoils of Victory

Now, Colorado will pay $6.1 million in attorney fees for its unconstitutional attempt to outlaw APR, as a federal law requires the state to pay attorneys’ fees and court costs.

“At least 18 moms who received abortion pill reversal care at Bella just celebrated Christmas with babies born during this case,” said Rebekah Ricketts, senior counsel at Becket and an attorney for Bella Health and Wellness.

“All Coloradans should celebrate those little miracles and the brave medical team at Bella that helped their moms when no one else would.”

ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot said in a statement, “Government officials can’t silence medical professionals and prevent them from saving lives.”

Theriot added,

Many women regret their chemical abortions, and some choose to reverse the effects of the first abortion drug, which can save their baby’s life. But Colorado’s law wrongly attempted to deny women the freedom to make that choice.

We’re grateful for Bella Health and Ms. Mynyk’s courageous defense of abortion pill reversal, which has helped save thousands of preborn babies’ lives.

Colorado was the first state to attempt to ban APR. Hopefully it will be the last.

The case is Bella Health and Wellness v. Weiser.

To learn more about the abortion pill reversal protocol, visit abortionpillreversal.com or call 1-877-558-0333 to be connected with a medical professional who can guide callers through the process of reversing the pill’s effects.

If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.

Related articles and resources:

My Choice Network

Counseling Consultation & Referrals

I’m Pregnant, Now What?

Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy

The Abortion Pill: How Does It Work?

Abortion Pill Reversal

When It’s Not Too Late for an Abortion Pill Reversal

Court Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Clinic and Abortion Pill Reversal

Photo from Becket.

Appeals Court Upholds Defunding of Big Abortion Businesses

A federal appeals court ruled the Trump administration can withhold taxpayer dollars from Big Abortion organizations – most notably Planned Parenthood.

On Tuesday, December 30, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a preliminary injunction that had blocked the Trump administration from implementing Section 71113 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The law, which President Donald J. Trump signed on July 4, 2025, prohibits federal Medicaid dollars from going to any non-profit organization that is “primarily engaged in family planning services,” performs abortions and received over $800,000 in Medicaid funding in 2023.

The court’s unanimous decision reverses the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, who had sided with 23 Blue states in their lawsuit seeking to prevent Section 71113’s enforcement.

The 1st Circuit previously issued an administrative stay of the judge’s decision on Dec. 8; the new ruling grants the Trump administration’s request for a stay pending appeal.

Judge Talwani claimed the OBBBA’s defund provision violated the U.S. Constitution’s spending clause by “fail[ing] to provide clear notice to States that participate in the joint Federal / State Medicaid program.”

“The [Trump administration] argue[s] that Section 71113 does not exceed Congress’s power under the Spending Clause,” the appeals court summarized, “because Section 71113 defines prohibited entities with sufficient clarity, operates only prospectively, and is of a piece with routine adjustments to the terms on which Medicaid funding is made available to states.”

The appeals court agreed with the administration’s reasoning.

Chief Judge David Barron, a nominee of former President Barack Obama; and Judges Gustavo Gelpí and Lara Montecalvo, both nominees of former President Joe Biden, joined the court’s opinion.

The decision is a crucial win in the fight for life and the rule of law. It allows the Trump administration to enforce a law duly enacted by Congress, and signed by the president, depriving Big Abortion providers of roughly $850 million in taxpayer dollars.

“This ruling is an important reminder that the federal government has both the authority and the responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize elective abortion,” Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement.

“The First Circuit correctly recognized that HHS is likely to prevail on the merits. Americans overwhelmingly oppose being forced to fund abortion, and this decision helps restore accountability and respect for long-standing federal law.”

In a separate but related lawsuit, the 1st Circuit also sided against Planned Parenthood in a unanimous ruling on Dec. 16 upholding the constitutionality of Section 71113.

As the provision expires later this year, Congress should extend Section 71113 in an upcoming bill. No taxpayer dollars should ever subsidize an industry that profits off killing hundreds of thousands of preborn children every year.

We hope and pray the Trump administration and congressional Republicans will have the courage and conviction to defund Big Abortion organizations for at least one more year.

The case is California v. Department of Health and Human Services.

If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network.

Related articles and resources:

My Choice Network

I’m Pregnant, Now What?

Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy

Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate

New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill

Overcoming Abortion and Becoming a Force for Life

Appeals Court Upholds Defunding of Planned Parenthood

Court Overrules District Judge, Allows Planned Parenthood Defunding to Continue

Photo from Shutterstock.