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Exclusive: House Republicans are discussing measures that could potentially end federal funding for groups like Planned Parenthood as a cost-cutting on a few dollar bills that drive President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Two sources close to the House Energy & Commerce committee told Fox News Digital that the move is floating as lawmakers seek to search for spending cuts of at least $1.5 trillion to offset the costs of Trump’s tax priorities.
That came after R-La’s House Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier this week that Republicans would target “big abortions” in the budget settlement process.
“We’re working on a lot of different options, and that’s been discussed,” R-Ky. committee chair Brett Guthrie told Fox News Digital when asked in person about Planned Parenthood. “Yeah, that’s being discussed.”
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Left House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Donald Trump’s agenda bill could refund “big abortions.” (Getty/Reuters)
While the House Energy & Commerce Committee alone is tasked with finding $880 billion in spending cuts under jurisdiction, disagreements within the GOP regarding the potential way Medicaid reductions are handled persist.
Republicans are working to pass a massive bill with Trump’s priorities on borders, immigration, tax, defense, energy and debt restrictions this spring or summer.
By lowering the Senate’s passing threshold from 60 to 51 votes, the party that controls both Congressional homes and the White House can pass the swept legislation while fully watching the opposition parties, in this case Democrats.
The first major hurdle was passed earlier this year to pass the framework with “directions” to find ways to enact spending cuts or small increases.
The Energy & Commerce Committee has a wide range of jurisdiction, including health, energy, telecommunications and other policies.
Democrats and other critics about the Republican settlement plan have accused them of trying to cut down key programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, while trying to pay for Trump’s other priorities.
But Republicans have said they have not been consistently touched on Medicare, and Trump is pushing them to drop taxes on social security for retirees as part of the bill.
But how deeply Medicaid is cutting back is the subject of intense debate between the Blue State’s fiscal Hawks and Republican lawmakers.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie said the refund plan parent-child relationship was “discussed.” (Getty Images)
Although direct refunds for planned parent-child relationships are not possible under settlement rules, Republicans can target such groups that offer abortions and receive federal Medicaid funds. It may offer some extra wiggle rooms, but it could equally be a tricky vote for those frontline members.
A common House Republican who asked to remain anonymous told Fox News Digital, “I don’t even know what they’re reimbursing.
They pointed out that long-standing Hyde’s amendments prevented the use of federal dollars in abortions.
Planned Parenthood has won Medicaid dollars for other health services rather than abortions, but critics say those federal dollars support the abortion industry.
R-Ill Rep. Mary Miller told Fox News Digital at an anti-abortion rally in late March:
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“So when we pass a settlement bill, we can include reimagining parent-child relationships and do whatever we can to make that happen,” Miller said.
No final decision has been made and such provisions may not be caught up in the final bill.
However, the Energy and Commerce Commission is expected to advance some of the legislation next week. That means the plan could be revealed within a few days.
Moreover, it was previously not clear that the conversation had reached committee level, but reimbursing planned custody in the settlement process is something that groups like Susan B. Anthony Prolife America have been pushing for months.
Rep. Mary Miller is calling for such measures. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
House speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. hinted at the Republican plan in a speech at the interest group gala earlier this week.
Johnson said the Republican settlement bill would redirect funds from “big abortion” to “federal qualifying health centers” on Tuesday night.
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When reached the comments, a spokesman for the House Energy Commerce Committee told Fox News Digital, “Along with other Energy and Commercial Republicans, Chairman Guthrie continues to work with members throughout the Republican Congress, continuing to implement President Trump’s agenda through the settlement process.”
“The Commission is not prepared to comment on policy-specific items that may or may not be included in the text of the final bill. Energy and Commerce are considering a full menu of options from the Commission’s broad jurisdiction, including energy, environment, health, communications,” the spokesman said.
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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