Senator Lankford Joins Senator Ernst to Introduce Legislation to Redirect Planned Parenthood Taxpayer Funding

WASHINGTON, DC – As an original co-sponsor, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the “Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act,” a bill that redirects taxpayer funds from Planned Parenthood to other eligible women’s health care providers that don’t perform abortions. Lankford also cosponsored a bill to repeal the Department of Health and Human Services’ new rule to amend regulations implementing the Title X Family Planning Program, which allows federal grants for organizations like Planned Parenthood. 

“For years, our nation has debated life and abortion – at a minmum we should agree that no taxpayer should be forced to fund the largest provider of abortion in the country with their hard-earned tax dollars,” said Lankford. “Planned Parenthood receives millions in private donation money every year, and they’ve experienced an increase in donations since President Trump was elected. There is no reason for a private non-governmental organization, like Planned Parenthood, to receive $500 million a year in taxpayer money. Redirecting taxpayer money from Planned Parenthood to thousands of other entities that provide women’s health care will ensure that taxpayers don’t fund abortion-related activities.”

More on the “Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act”:

• Prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of its affiliate organizations.
• Protects federal funding for health services for women, including diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and more.
• Ensures there is no reduction in overall federal funding available to support women’s health.

Lankford introduced a similar bill with Ernst and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) in 2015 after revelations that Planned Parenthood had engaged in the practice of harvesting human body parts from abortions. Lankford also gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about the issue. 

###