Republicans ask for investigation into federal funding for Planned Parenthood

A group of more than 100 Republican lawmakers is asking for an investigation into the amount of federal funding that has been awarded to health centers that also provide abortion, including Planned Parenthood. 

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), as well as House Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), led a letter to the Government Accountability Office on Friday, asking for a report on the funding sent to the groups over the past three years. 

The lawmakers noted the GAO has prepared several congressionally requested reports on federal funding for these organizations over the years. 

According to its most recent report, the Department of Health and Human Services obligated an estimated $33.67 billion to federally qualified health centers and about $49 million to Planned Parenthood affiliates from 2019 through 2022. 

“It is our hope that this report will provide greater insight as Congress considers funding levels and provides increased transparency and openness for our constituencies and the general public,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The letter was sent just days after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the incoming leaders of President-elect Trump’s to-be-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), published an op-ed saying they intended to cut “nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood.” 

Among the 81 House Republicans and 31 Senate Republicans who signed the letter are the top three leaders of the new Congress: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La. ), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). 

The lawmakers asked for a report on funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, International Planned Parenthood Federation, MSI Reproductive Choices, and four domestic abortion providers.