Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined a coalition of 111 Members of Congress, led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Representatives Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), in requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into federal funding allocated to abortion providers over the past three years. The lawmakers specifically seek updated data on funding awarded to organizations such as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, International Planned Parenthood Federation, and MSI Reproductive Choices, along with four other domestic abortion providers.
In their letter to the GAO, the lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency and oversight in the use of taxpayer dollars. Citing a prior GAO report, they noted that nearly $2 billion in federal funds were provided to the abortion industry between fiscal years 2019 and 2021.
“Proper oversight of public funds and programs is crucial for determining the value of the goods and services provided to and funded by American taxpayers,” the letter states. The lawmakers hope the requested investigation will inform future funding decisions and enhance public understanding of how federal funds are distributed.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee, Senator Britt has been vocal in her support of measures limiting taxpayer funding for abortion. She successfully advocated for the inclusion of the Hyde Amendment—restricting federal funds from being used for abortion—in the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. Britt has also criticized the Biden Administration for proposing FY25 budgets that exclude the amendment.
Senator Britt has co-sponsored legislation, including the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, aimed at permanently prohibiting federal funds from being used for abortion services. She has also supported efforts to overturn a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rule permitting abortion services at VA facilities in states like Alabama, where abortion laws conflict with federal regulations.
A self-described Christian, wife, and mother, Senator Britt has made advocating for children, families, and the unborn a cornerstone of her tenure in the Senate. “This inquiry is instrumental for policymakers and the public alike,” the lawmakers wrote, underscoring their commitment to transparency and fiscal accountability.
The GAO investigation is expected to provide a detailed breakdown of federal funding allocations, informing ongoing debates over taxpayer funding for health services and reproductive care.
