Congressional Republicans appear divided in the fight to defund Planned Parenthood. As reported by News of the United States, several centrist Republicans “oppose adding a measure to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood to a reconciliation bill.” While House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and others downplayed or even dismissed the apparent discussion, it raises the question: Just how serious is the GOP when it comes to defunding the nation’s largest abortion provider? 

With the pro-life victory in the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision now nearly three years old, pro-life Americans view defunding Planned Parenthood as the next logical step. However, Republicans, including Johnson, seem reluctant to move ahead. Part of that is certainly due to the party split in the House, which only barely favors Republicans.