Bills
| 3.23.22

Cutting Off Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood for One Year (H.R. 3134)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 3134?

(Updated July 18, 2019)

This bill would hold federal funding from Planned Parenthood for one-year — unless the organization certifies that they will not perform abortions or support  groups that perform abortions.

The one year moratorium comes from Sponsoring Rep. Diane Black's (R-TN) desire to give Congress time to:

"[conduct] a full investigation into the organization’s activities. Introduction of the bill follows the release of multiple undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood employees discussing the harvesting of aborted babies’ tissue and organs."

The restriction imposed by this bill would not apply to cases of rape or incest, or if a pregnant woman’s life is in danger without an abortion.

If Planned Parenthood, or one of its affiliates or clinics violate this legislation, the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Dept. of Agriculture are directed to seek repayment of the misused federal funding.

Argument in favor

Whether you agree or disagree with Planned Parenthood and its abortion services, a one-year moratorium on federal funding while allegations against the organization are investigated makes sense.

Argument opposed

This bill is an overreaction to a smear campaign against Planned Parenthood. They offer valuable services to many low income families and individuals outside of abortions — and it hasn't done anything illegal.

Impact

Anyone who receives services at Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood employees, supporters and opponents, pro-abortion and anti-abortion activists, Planned Parenthood, the Center for Medical Progress, and relevant federal agencies.

Cost of H.R. 3134

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note: While Planned Parenthood often finds itself in the news because of the abortion services they offer — abortions are just a fraction of what they do. From cancer screenings, to HIV tests, STI testing, to sex education, and family counseling, Planned Parenthood has a wide range of services.

In mid-July, 2015, undercover videos shot by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) were released, claiming to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of the organs and tissue of aborted fetuses. CMP claims that the:

"criminal conspiracy to make money off of aborted baby parts reaches to the very highest levels of their organization. Elected officials must listen to the public outcry for Planned Parenthood to be held accountable to the law and for our tax dollars to stop underwriting this barbaric abortion business.”

Planned Parenthood has countered that tissue donations for scientific research do happen, but that reimbursements are only for their expenses. From CNN: "The group also says it helps people donate tissue "with full, appropriate consent from patients and under the highest  ethical and legal standards," according to a statement from spokesman Eric Ferrero. Later, Ferrero issued another statement saying:

"These outrageous claims are flat-out untrue, but that doesn't matter to politicians with a longstanding political agenda to ban abortion and defund Planned Parenthood. Women and families who make the decision to donate fetal tissue for lifesaving scientific research should be honored, not attacked and demeaned."

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) introduced this legislation to help put a stop to a “culture of depravity” at Planned Parenthood in the wake of the controversy involving officials from the organization being caught discussing the sale of organs from aborted fetuses. In a speech on the House floor, she added: 

“I eagerly await the findings of this forthcoming investigation, but you know what, Mister Speaker? No matter what it reveals, here’s the truth — Planned Parenthood has made a business out of destroying that which God has created.”

The investigation into Planned Parenthood's practices that Rep. Black referenced began with hearings by the House Judiciary Committee in September 2015. The House's Energy and Commerce Committee and its Oversight and Government Reform Committee are also investigating the allegations against Planned Parenthood.

Currently, this bill has 170 cosponsors in the House — only one of whom is a Democrat.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Grazia Mele)