Republicans’ First Anti-Abortion Agenda Item: Defunding Planned Parenthood

Almost two decades after the first bill to cut funding for the organization was introduced, Republicans hope they’ll finally be able to get it done.

Planned Parenthood

Defunding Planned Parenthood is now a consensus position for Republicans. Jeff Roberson/AP

When then-Congressman Mike Pence first argued in 2007 that Planned Parenthood should be stripped of all federal funding, it was seen as a niche position held by only the most strident anti-abortion lawmakers. But heading into 2025 — almost two decades later — Republicans say defunding the organization is one of their earliest priorities of the 119th Congress.

In the aftermath of the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Republicans have struggled to come up with a unified message and strategy around abortion. But with GOP control of the House, Senate and the White House, Rep. Kevin Hern, who will lead House Republicans’ Policy Committee next term, told NOTUS defunding Planned Parenthood is now a consensus position in the conference.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he’d veto a national abortion ban, arguing it should be left up to the states, leaving more limited options for anti-abortion advocates to advance their position legislatively. So Hern said “one of the biggest things” the conference can do is “checking on the funding of what we’re doing on the federal level for Planned Parenthood.”