U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins Bicameral Letter Urging Updated GAO Investigation into Federal Funding Awarded to Abortion Providers
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 26, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Representatives Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), and 107 additional Members of Congress in writing a bicameral letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate and report on the amount of federal funding awarded to abortion providers—including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the International Planned Parenthood Federation—over the past three years.
“We are writing to request updated information on federal funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, International Planned Parenthood Federation, MSI Reproductive Choices, and four domestic Abortion providers,” wrote the lawmakers.
The GAO has prepared several congressionally requested reports on federal funding for these organizations over the years. According to its most recent report, the abortion industry siphoned off nearly $2 billion in federal taxpayer dollars between fiscal years 2019-2021.
“Proper oversight of public funds and programs is crucial for determining the value of the goods and services provided to and funded by American taxpayers. The information sought in this inquiry is instrumental for policymakers and the public alike,” the lawmakers stated.
“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 continued.
Read the full letter here.
Background:
As a Christian, wife, and mom, one of Senator Britt’s top priorities in the Senate is being a voice for the voiceless and supporting children, mothers, and families across our nation. As a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt successfully fought to ensure the Hyde Amendment was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor-HHS Appropriations bill and has continued to hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for not including the Hyde Amendment in the President’s proposed FY25 HHS Budget.
Senator Britt also joined Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in introducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would establish a single, government wide standard to permanently prohibit the flow of federal funding for abortion. She also has supported efforts to overturn the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) rule that directs VA facilitates to perform abortions, even in jurisdictions like Alabama where state law regulates or outlaws abortion in conflict with the federal rule.
###
