Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Colleagues Move to Stop Federal Funding for Abortions

Miss. Senators Join Resolution to Overturn Biden Administration Final Rule on Title X

March 17, 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., have joined 29 Republican colleagues in a Congressional Review Act (CRA) challenge to overturn the Biden administration’s 2021 Final Rule on the Title X Family Planning Program, which permits abortion providers like Planned Parenthood to receive federal funding.

 S.J.Res.41 targets the Biden rule, which reversed the Trump administration’s 2019 ban on federal funding to entities that provide abortion referrals to pregnant mothers. The 2019 rule did not reduce Title X funding, instead redirecting it to providers that do not perform or promote abortions.

 “The Biden Administration’s Final Rule has no place with Title X,” Wicker said. “The program was created to fund necessary family planning services. Abortion providers’ inclusion into this program would work against that goal, putting taxpayers on the hook for a morally troubling act, as well as a prime example of government overreach. This rule is a strike on human life, and I will continue work to combat it.”

 “Most Americans agree that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions, a fact that hasn’t deterred President Biden and his administration from rejecting that longstanding principle to broaden access to abortions,” Hyde-Smith said. “Abortion is not healthcare.  This proposed reversal will ensure taxpayers dollars are used to protect mothers and their babies, not to hurt them.”

 Congress can consider S.J.Res.41 using expedited procedures under the CRA and pass it by a simple majority vote. The Susan B. Anthony List, National Right to Life, Family Research Council, and Heritage Action support the measure.

Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., led the resolution. In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, additional cosponsors include Senators Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Tim Scott, R-S.C., John Boozman, R-Ark., John Thune, R-S.D., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Mike Braun, R-Ind., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Rick Scott, R-Fla., James Lankford, R-Okla., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., John Kennedy, R-La., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Roger Marshall, R-Kan.

 U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, introduced a companion House measure, H.J.Res.76, which U.S. Representative Michael Guest, R-Miss., cosponsored.