The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is ramping up its efforts to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood, seizing the opportunity presented by a Republican-majority Congress and White House. The SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has initiated a campaign aimed at urging Congress to defund the nation’s largest abortion provider, a move that many pro-life advocates have long sought.
Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC, emphasized the urgency of this initiative. He stated that the current reconciliation process in Congress—a method that allows legislation to pass with a simple majority—presents a unique opportunity for Republicans to act on their longstanding promises regarding Planned Parenthood funding. With Republicans holding 53 seats in the Senate, Leatherwood believes this is the moment to follow through on commitments to protect the unborn.
“Republicans have made historic pledges to recognize the harm that Planned Parenthood causes, including the loss of millions of pre-born lives and the targeting of vulnerable women,” Leatherwood explained. He expressed confidence that the time is right for Congress to act decisively against what he described as "horrific behavior" associated with the organization.
The campaign aims to engage various congressional committees, particularly the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Budget Committee, to prioritize the defunding of Planned Parenthood in their budget considerations. Leatherwood articulated the goal of delivering a clear message: taxpayer resources should not support an organization that many believe is responsible for ending lives.
For decades, pro-life activists have fought to cut the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds that Planned Parenthood receives annually. Critics of these defunding efforts argue that such cuts could jeopardize women’s health services. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, has previously labeled attempts to defund the organization as politically motivated attacks on women’s healthcare.
In response to concerns about the potential impact on non-abortion services provided by Planned Parenthood, Leatherwood expressed skepticism. He pointed to a recent article in the New York Times, which reported that several Planned Parenthood clinics are facing numerous allegations of providing inadequate care. The article highlighted issues such as outdated equipment and high staff turnover, leading to a significant drop in patient counts over the years.
Leatherwood firmly stated that the core mission of Planned Parenthood centers around abortion, rather than providing comprehensive healthcare. He emphasized the need to protect both mothers and their unborn children, arguing that defunding Planned Parenthood is a crucial step toward achieving this goal.
As the SBC mobilizes its resources and leadership to support this initiative, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond. The forthcoming discussions in the House and Senate will undoubtedly shape the future of federal funding for Planned Parenthood and the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights in America.
For more information on the SBC’s campaign and the implications of defunding Planned Parenthood, you can visit the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission website.