Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt, alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representatives Chris Smith, Robert Aderholt, and Claudia Tenney, has called for an updated investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into federal funding awarded to abortion providers over the past three years. This initiative includes support from 107 other Members of Congress.

The lawmakers have requested detailed information on federal funding allocated to Federally Qualified Health Centers, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, International Planned Parenthood Federation, MSI Reproductive Choices, and four domestic abortion providers. They emphasized the importance of oversight on public funds and programs to assess their value to American taxpayers.

In previous reports prepared by the GAO at congressional request, it was noted that nearly $2 billion in federal taxpayer dollars were directed towards the abortion industry between fiscal years 2019-2021.

The legislators stated that the information from this inquiry is crucial for both policymakers and the public. "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," they continued.

Senator Britt has been vocal about her priorities in supporting children, mothers, and families across the nation. As a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, she ensured the inclusion of the Hyde Amendment in the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. She has also held the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for its omission of this amendment in their proposed FY25 HHS Budget.

Additionally, Senator Britt collaborated with Senator Roger Wicker to introduce the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. This legislation aims to establish a permanent prohibition on federal funding for abortion. Furthermore, she has supported efforts to challenge a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rule mandating VA facilities perform abortions even where state laws conflict with this federal directive.