Policy / Defund Planned Parenthood

Defund Planned Parenthood

Southern Baptists affirm the sanctity of every human life, including the preborn. Scripture testifies that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16). The Baptist Faith and Message proclaims that children, from the moment of conception, are “a blessing and heritage from the Lord.” As followers of Christ, we are called to advocate for protecting vulnerable lives and oppose organizations and practices that undermine the value of life.

Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States, responsible for nearly 400,000 abortions annually. While the organization claims to offer essential healthcare services, its primary focus remains abortion, as evidenced by its consistent expansion of abortion services. Despite this reality, Planned Parenthood receives significant taxpayer funding through federal, state, and local programs. This funding indirectly supports the organization’s abortion services and compels millions of pro-life Americans to subsidize an industry that violates their deeply held beliefs.

The ERLC is calling on Congress and the administration to take decisive action to defund Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. This includes supporting standalone legislation, appropriations measures, and reconciliation efforts that prohibit taxpayer dollars from being allocated to organizations that perform abortions. Redirecting these funds to pregnancy resource centers and other organizations that provide comprehensive care and support for mothers and families—without performing abortions—is an essential step in promoting a culture of life.

Southern Baptists have consistently opposed the funding of Planned Parenthood through resolutions adopted at the annual meeting. In 2017, messengers approved the Resolution On Defunding and Investigating Planned Parenthood, calling for the organization to be stripped of taxpayer dollars and subjected to greater scrutiny. In 2021, Southern Baptists reaffirmed their opposition to taxpayer complicity in abortion through the Resolution On Taxpayer Complicity in Abortion and the Hyde Amendment. Most recently, in 2022, the Resolution On Anticipation of a Historic Moment in the Pro-life Movement reiterated the need to protect life at every level of government.

The ERLC strongly supports the complete defunding of Planned Parenthood and the redirection of taxpayer funds to organizations that uphold the dignity of life and provide compassionate care to women and families. We urge Congress and the administration to act swiftly to ensure that no federal, state, or local funds are used to support the nation’s largest abortion provider. By taking this action, we can increase protection for the preborn, respect the consciences of taxpayers, and promote a culture that values and supports life at every stage.