There's something profoundly symbolic about moments in history that force us to reckon with who we are as a nation. July 4th, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of American independence; a milestone that should inspire celebration, reflection, and gratitude for the principles upon which this country was founded. Instead, we face a sobering reality: on that very day, Planned Parenthood's federal funding is set to renew.
Let that sink in for a moment. On the day we commemorate the Declaration of Independence and its radical assertion that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights—including the right to life—we will simultaneously be asked to renew funding for the nation's largest abortion provider. The irony is almost too painful to bear, and let’s not forget that it was due to this assertion in the Constitution that Roe was overturned (as explained here by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.)
Now that the federal law protects the right to life, it is more important than ever that the federal funds follow this. We all have to put our money where our mouth and law is.
Understanding the Reconciliation Process
If you've been following the pro-life movement's legislative victories over the past year, you've likely heard about reconciliation. It's a term that gets thrown around in political circles, often without much explanation of what it actually means or why it matters so much for our cause. Let me break it down in a way that empowers you to understand exactly how we can and have used this process to defund Planned Parenthood.
Budget reconciliation is a special legislative process that allows certain budget-related bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the typical 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. This procedural tool was originally designed to make it easier for Congress to adjust federal spending, revenues, and the debt limit. But for the pro-life movement, it has become one of our most effective weapons.
Here's why this matters so much: in our current political landscape, getting 60 senators to agree on anything (let alone something as contentious as abortion funding) is nearly impossible. But 51 votes? That's achievable. That's exactly how Planned Parenthood was defunded last year, and it's the same pathway we need to use again.
The reconciliation process begins in the House of Representatives, where budget legislation must originate. The House Budget Committee drafts a reconciliation bill that includes instructions for how much spending should be cut from various programs crucially including, Title X family planning funds that flow to Planned Parenthood. Once the House passes this bill with a simple majority, it moves to the Senate.
In the Senate, the bill can be debated and amended, but ultimately only requires 51 votes to pass. No filibuster and no endless procedural delays, just a straightforward up-or-down vote on whether taxpayer dollars should continue funding an organization that performs over 350,000 abortions annually.
This is not a theoretical exercise. We've seen this work. Last year's successful defunding effort proved that when pro-life legislators use the tools at their disposal, real change is possible. The infrastructure is there and the precedent has been set. What we need now is the political will and the public pressure to do it again.
Why This Moment Demands Action
I know some people reading this might be thinking: "Didn't we already win this fight? Why are we talking about defunding again?" The answer lies in how government funding cycles work. Federal appropriations and program authorizations don't last forever. They come with expiration dates and renewal periods. Planned Parenthood's funding is set to renew on July 4th, 2026, which means we're facing a new battle and a new opportunity.
The timing of this renewal is not just coincidentally unfortunate; it's symbolically devastating. Imagine explaining to future generations that on America's 250th birthday, a quarter-millennium celebration of freedom and human dignity, we chose to send hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to an organization built on the destruction of human life in the womb. Any historian would tell you that killing its own people is a sign of a civilization’s decline, so how tragic it is to fund abortions while celebrating America’s anniversary.
Planned Parenthood receives approximately $600 million in federal funding annually, primarily through Medicaid reimbursements and Title X family planning grants. Despite the organization's repeated claims that this money doesn't fund abortions, money is fungible. Every dollar of taxpayer funding that covers Planned Parenthood's overhead, facilities, and non-abortion services frees up other resources to expand their abortion business. We are, in effect, subsidizing the infrastructure of America's abortion industry.
Consider what that $600 million could do if redirected to community health centers and pregnancy resource centers that actually serve women without pushing abortion. Real healthcare and real support. Real choices that don't end in pain and death.
But beyond the financial argument, there's a moral one that cannot be ignored. Forcing Americans to fund abortion through their tax dollars violates the conscience rights of millions of citizens who believe abortion takes an innocent human life. In a diverse democracy, we should be able to agree that taxpayers shouldn't be compelled to subsidize procedures they find morally abhorrent. This isn't about limiting anyone's access to abortion, it's about not forcing those who oppose it to pay for it.
The pro-life movement has always understood that cultural change and legal change must work in tandem. We've made tremendous strides in shifting hearts and minds over the past decade, with more young people identifying as pro-life than ever before. We've seen states pass protective legislation. We've witnessed the fall of Roe v. Wade. But as long as the federal government continues propping up Planned Parenthood with massive taxpayer subsidies, we're sending a message that abortion is not just legal, but good, worthy of public investment, and deserving of the nation's support.
The Power We Hold
Here's what I want everyone reading this to understand: you are not powerless in this fight. Your voice matters. Your advocacy makes a difference. And the next few months present a critical window of opportunity to influence the outcome.
Members of Congress are not immune to public pressure. In fact, they're acutely sensitive to it, especially as we approach the 2026 midterm elections. When constituents call, write, and show up, legislators pay attention. When phone lines light up and inboxes flood with messages from voters who care deeply about an issue, it moves the needle.
The reconciliation process I described earlier requires votes in the House and in the Senate. Every single representative and senator who casts a ballot on this issue will have to answer to their constituents. That means that every American has leverage. Your elected officials work for you, and in order to do their work properly they need to hear from you.
I know it can feel intimidating to reach out to a member of Congress. Maybe you've never done it before. Maybe you worry that you won't sound informed enough or that your call won't make a difference. Let me assure you: it absolutely does make a difference. Congressional offices tally constituent contacts on major issues and they report these numbers to the legislator. Your call gets counted. Your email gets read (or at least skimmed by a staffer, who then reports the position to the member). Your voice is aggregated with others, and collectively, we create the political environment that makes defunding possible or impossible.
Your Action Plan
So what, specifically, can you do right now? Here's your roadmap:
1st: Find your representatives. If you don't know who represents you in Congress, a quick online search will tell you. You have one representative in the House and two senators. All three need to hear from you.
2nd: Make contact. Calling is the most effective method of constituent advocacy, but emails and letters matter too. If calling feels too daunting, start with an email. When you call, you'll likely speak with a staff member, not the actual legislator and that's okay. They're trained to take your message and keep in mind that it is their job to do so, so don’t feel as if you are bothering. Keep it simple: state your name, confirm you're a constituent (mention your city or zip code), and deliver your message clearly: "I'm calling to urge [Representative/Senator Name] to support defunding Planned Parenthood through budget reconciliation. As a taxpayer, I do not want my money funding America's largest abortion provider, and I'm asking the member to vote yes on any reconciliation bill that removes federal funding from Planned Parenthood."
3rd: Be specific about the timing. Mention that Planned Parenthood's funding is set to renew on July 4th, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence. This symbolic importance resonates with legislators who care about America's founding principles. Frame it as a choice: will we celebrate a quarter-millennium of American freedom by funding death, or will we choose life?
4th: Follow up. Advocacy isn't a one-time event. Plan to contact your representatives multiple times between now and July. As the reconciliation bill moves through committee processes and floor votes, your continued engagement signals that this issue matters to you and won't be forgotten.
5th: Bring others with you. Talk to your friends, your family, your church community. Share this information. Encourage others to make their voices heard. Legislative victories happen when movements mobilize, when individuals become communities, and when communities create unstoppable momentum for change.
A Vision for July 4th, 2026
Imagine what it would mean if, on July 4th, 2026, instead of renewing Planned Parenthood's funding, we celebrated America's 250th anniversary by affirming our national commitment to life. Imagine the message that would send to the world: that America, at its best, protects the vulnerable, champions the innocent, and refuses to subsidize violence against the unborn and the families around them.
This is not a pipe dream. This is quite achievable. The reconciliation process gives us the mechanism. The political landscape gives us the opportunity, and what's required now is the collective will of the pro-life movement to make it happen.
We stand at a crossroads. One path leads to business as usual and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars flowing to Planned Parenthood while they continue performing hundreds of thousands of abortions each year. The other path leads to a historic victory for life, achieved through the democratic process, reflecting the values and conscience rights of millions of Americans.
The choice is ours, but only if we act.
Pick up the phone. Write the email. Make your voice heard. Tell your representatives that on America's 250th birthday, we should be celebrating life, not funding its destruction. Tell them that you expect them to use every legislative tool available (including budget reconciliation) to defund Planned Parenthood.
The pro-life movement has always been powered by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Mothers and fathers, students and professionals, young and old, united by a simple conviction that every human life has inherent dignity and worth. You are part of that movement. Your advocacy matters and your voice counts.
Let's make July 4th, 2026, a day of true independence. Independence from an abortion industry propped up by taxpayer dollars, and a new birth of freedom for the most vulnerable among us.
The time to act is now. Will you answer the call? Will you be part of ending tax-payer funded abortions in America on its 250th anniversary?
