During the first half of Joe Biden’s presidency, GOP congressional lawmakers were in a tight spot. This is because Democrats had majority control of not just the Senate, but also the House of Representatives.
Without a majority in either chamber, Republicans were limited in passing bills they liked or blocking legislation they opposed. However, during last year’s midterms, the GOP took back the majority in the House of Representatives.
Therefore, Congress is now evenly divided with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House. With this newfound control in the House, GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert just submitted a bill to defund Planned Parenthood, according to Fox News.
A Closer Look at This New Legislation
The main objective of Boebert’s Defund Planned Parenthood Act is to ensure that taxpayer dollars no longer go toward Planned Parenthood.
Should this legislation become law, the taxpayer funds that Planned Parenthood receives would end up being redirected toward “Federally Qualified Health Centers.” These health centers are known to provide services such as prenatal care, cancer screenings, and more.
I’ve introduced my first bill of the 118th Congress.
It would defund Planned Parenthood.
We need to protect the sanctity of life in this country.
To all those marching at the March For Life, let’s rally behind this bill and get it done!https://t.co/RGKzJDd0te
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 20, 2023
In announcing this bill, Boebert warned that Planned Parenthood recently increased its number of abortions performed, while slashing breast cancer screenings and other exams for women.
Thus far, close to three dozen House members have co-signed the Defund Planned Parenthood Act.
Will It Become Law?
Many conservatives have rallied around the bill to ensure that taxpayer dollars no longer fund Planned Parenthood. However, there are other folks warning that the Defund Planned Parenthood Act ultimately won’t pass into law.
Republicans could very well pass the bill in the House. However, the Senate, which Democrats now control at a 51-49 majority, will undoubtedly vote it down.
It will get shot down in the Senate and then the RNC will send out a fundraising mailer saying they're being obstructed by the Democrats and they need more money and then they will get checks from little old ladies on fixed incomes.
— Charles Byrd (@CharlesRByrd) January 21, 2023
For this reason, some critics of Boebert have taken to social media, accusing the Republican congresswoman of putting on a show, rather than trying to actually get things done.
On top of that, even if this bill were to pass the Senate and the House, Joe Biden would almost certainly veto it.
Though if both chambers of Congress and the White House were controlled by the GOP, then the Defund Planned Parenthood Act would stand a pretty good chance of passing into law.
Legislators on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers will now be able to vote on this bill, with Americans knowing where each member of Congress stands.
What do you think of new legislation presented that would stop Planned Parenthood from receiving US taxpayer dollars? Do you believe this bill has a chance of passing under the current Congress and White House?
You’re welcome to share your thoughts about the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, its future, and its likelihood of passing down below in the comments area.
