Senate Rejects Amendment to Defund Planned Parenthood

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood during an overnight vote-a-rama on a reconciliation bill. The amendment, proposed by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, aimed to cut off Medicaid taxpayer dollars to the organization.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in voting against it. Planned Parenthood received $832 million in taxpayer funds during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, according to reports. The organization provides various health services, including abortions and gender transition interventions.

Hawley stated in a speech that the amendment addressed the use of federal funds for transgender surgeries and treatments for minors.

of pro-life organizations, led by Live Action, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune on April 22, 2026, urging Congress to withhold taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood for up to 10 years under budget reconciliation rules. The letter noted that Congress had previously imposed a one-year prohibition on such funding in 2025, which Collins and Murkowski also opposed.

The groups described halting the funding as a pro-taxpayer reform. Hawley announced his amendment on April 23, 2026, stating on social media that taxpayer dollars should not fund Planned Parenthood's abortions or gender transition interventions. In a statement to The Federalist, Hawley said the Senate's rejection allows billions in taxpayer dollars for transgender treatments on minors.

He urged the House to act, calling it necessary to stop the practice.

Some view the Senate's rejection as preserving essential Medicaid funding for reproductive and gender-affirming care. This funding supports access to health services for vulnerable youth and women, according to advocates for such programs. The decision occurs amid ongoing partisan debates over budget priorities and health care allocations.

The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, is expected to vote on the reconciliation legislation as early as next week. Last year, House Republicans included a provision in legislation to ban Medicaid payments to entities like Planned Parenthood for a 10-year period, though the Senate reduced it to one year.

The Federalist reported inquiring with Speaker Mike Johnson about potential amendments, but received no response.

“This cannot go on. The House must act to stop this abomination once and for all,”