More than 100 US parliamentarians ask to investigate abortion financing

Below is a summary of recent policy developments related to the pro-life movement in the United States.

Congressmen request investigation into abortion financing

More than 100 members of Congress have asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the amount of federal funding awarded to abortion providers both nationally and internationally for the last three years. Recipients include Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates.

A total of 112 lawmakers signed the Nov. 22 letter led by House Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Chris Smith, along with Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Reps. Robert Aderholt and Claudia Tenney. The letter was endorsed by 81 members of the House of Representatives and 31 senators, including prominent leaders such as House Speaker Mike Johnson; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise; and the next Senate Majority Leader, John Thune.

A GAO report in 2023 revealed that between 2019 and 2021, the US government provided $1.89 billion in federal funding to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood and MSI Reproductive Choices.

Republican congressmen seek to stop the expansion of the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the military

Two Republican representatives asked the House and Senate Armed Services committees not to expand health insurance coverage for fertilization treatments in vitro (IVF) among military personnel, citing high costs and ethical concerns.

In a Nov. 21 letter, Reps. Matt Rosendale and Josh Brecheen asked committee leaders not to include provisions expanding access to this treatment, which involves the artificial creation of multiple embryos, most of which do not survive. they come to be born.

In the letter, Rosendale and Brecheen noted: “There are no limits under current law on how many embryos can be created in one IVF cycle.” They also noted that the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was unable to provide basic information, such as how many embryos are screened for sex selection or genetic abnormalities, or how many are destroyed annually.

In 2021, according to data from the CDC and the Family Research Council, 4.1 million embryos were created through IVF, but only 97,128 were born, which is equivalent to 2.3%. The representatives urged Congress to “protect the most vulnerable and reject any provision that leads to the destruction of innocent lives.”

While some lawmakers consider IVF a pro-family technology, others criticize the loss of unborn human life inherent in the process. The Catholic Church teaches that IVF is not morally acceptable, as it separates conception from the marital act and creates multiple embryos that are then discarded.

Texas bill seeks to reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances

A bill introduced in the Texas legislature proposes reclassifying abortion pills as Schedule IV substances, which would make them controlled substances. These pills, used in abortions, miscarriage care and other treatments, include mifepristone, which deprives the fetus of essential nutrients, and misoprostol, which induces expulsion of the fetus.

Republican Rep. Pat Curry of Waco introduced HB 1339 on Nov. 14. If passed, the measure would take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. It would also classify the muscle relaxant carisoprodol as a controlled substance, along with abortion pills. Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, possessing a fraudulent prescription can be punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 or 180 days in jail.

This measure follows the lead of Louisiana, which this year also reclassified abortion pills as controlled substances.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.