Congress Must Protect Reproductive Health and Rights in Upcoming Appropriations Negotiations

Planned Parenthood to Congress: It’s imperative that full-year appropriations bills repeal the Title X and global gag rules

WASHINGTON — Following passage today of the continuing resolution to fund the government through December 20, Planned Parenthood called on Congress to ensure that the repeal of the Title X and global gag rules is included in the full-year funding bills. The health and rights of people across the globe remain at grave risk without congressional action to rescind the gag rules and protect access to birth control and critical reproductive health services.

Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Access to affordable birth control and reproductive health services for millions of people is at risk, and it’s up to Congress to act. Now that negotiations for the full-year government funding bills have been extended, it is imperative that members work to block the Title X and global gag rules in the final legislation. We applaud Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and many other reproductive health champions for leading the fight on these critical issues. Planned Parenthood will continue working with all legislators to ensure we protect health care access for all.”

Reproductive health champions in Congress joined patients from Planned Parenthood and providers from Physicians for Reproductive Health for a press conference on the importance of reversing the administration’s harmful gag rule on Title X. As Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said, “Women and men across the country have been clear — they believe it is unacceptable for anyone to lose access to providers they trust, affordable care they need, or medical information about their health, just because a politician thought their ideological views were more important.” 

In June, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) and Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-17), with the support of the Pro-Choice Caucus and a historic pro-reproductive health majority in the House of Representatives, passed appropriations bills that repeal both gag rules, however the Senate so far refused to do the same. In September, a scheduled vote in the Senate was abruptly cancelled on a spending bill because Sen. Murray planned to ask for a vote to reverse the harmful Title X gag rule.

Planned Parenthood supporters around the country will continue calling on their members of Congress to protect their access to health care and repeal the Title X and global gag rules.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.