Anti-Abortion Groups Rally at Capitol After Planned Parenthood Regains Medicaid Access

Anti-abortion leaders gathered outside the House side of the Capitol on a Thursday morning in July 2026 to rally for defunding Planned Parenthood, Washington Examiner reported. Planned Parenthood had regained access to Medicaid reimbursements the week before. The House Budget Committee was advancing a framework for a third reconciliation bill at the same time.

That framework did not include language to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, had barred Planned Parenthood from federal reimbursements for one year. Americans United for Life CEO John Mize said the coalition had wanted defunding in perpetuity or at least in continuity.

"Of course, we would have liked to have seen Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers defunded in perpetuity or at least in continuity," Mize said. "That did not happen. " Americans United for Life joined Live Action, Human Coalition, the American Principles Project, National Right to Life, and Students for Life Action in organizing the rally.

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington said abortion funding was raised early in discussions but was set aside. "What is the need right now for the highest order of the federal government's mission and its security, securing elections, securing the food supply, and supporting our troops for the coming defense," Arrington said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he came from the pro-life movement and would get the job done as soon as possible.

Savanna Deretich, government affairs coordinator for Students for Life Action, said there had not been a commitment from the entire GOP and from President Trump on defunding Planned Parenthood. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he commits resources to stopping access to mifepristone. Rep.