In Washington, the phrase “taxpayer funding” has a way of turning a policy dispute into a fight about rules, compliance, and oversight. Who gets federal money. What strings come with it. And what happens when lawmakers believe those standards are not being met.
That question is now at the center of a new request from a coalition of 128 Republican lawmakers. Led by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the group is urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General, led by Inspector General T. March Bell, to review federal funding connected to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates.
The request is broad by design. It asks the watchdog to examine federal money flowing through HHS programs, grants, contracts, and sub-awards, and to determine whether there is evidence of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation, or other violations affecting federal health programs.
Join the Discussion
What lawmakers asked for
The lawmakers are asking HHS’s internal watchdog to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and, if warranted, open an investigation into the organization and its affiliates.
In their letter, the lawmakers wrote: “We write to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) review and, if appropriate, initiate an investigation into the activities of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization's affiliates.”
Lankford framed the push as a compliance and accountability question, saying, “Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have faced serious allegations involving the use of federal funds and compliance with federal law. Those allegations deserve a thorough review.” He added, “The HHS Inspector General should follow the facts, determine whether federal laws and funding requirements have been violated, and hold accountable anyone who has misused taxpayer dollars.”
HHS-OIG said it had not yet received the letter at the time it commented publicly, stating: “We have not received the letter and will review it for appropriate action once received.”
How wide the review could be
The lawmakers asked the OIG to scrutinize funding flowing through HHS programs, grants, contracts, and sub-awards. They want the office to determine whether evidence exists of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation, or other violations tied to federal health programs.
If misconduct is uncovered, the lawmakers asked the watchdog to consider consequences “ranging from administrative remedies and suspension to exclusion from federal healthcare programs or referrals to other authorities.”
Coordination with CMS and OMB
The lawmakers are also asking the OIG to look beyond a single funding stream. They want federal scrutiny to examine Planned Parenthood’s broader HHS funding and to coordinate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on what they described as a “comprehensive review” of the organization’s activities.
The PPP loan review
The request comes as the Small Business Administration separately reviews more than $88 million in COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program loans received by 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates.
The lawmakers cited that SBA action in their letter, characterizing it as an investigation into whether affiliates “illegally received $88 million” in pandemic loans. The SBA has described its action as a review of whether the affiliates were eligible for the loans. The review itself is not a finding that the affiliates violated the law.
Other allegations cited
Smith, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, said the scrutiny was “long overdue,” citing allegations involving federal funding, reporting requirements, sexual exploitation, and fetal tissue.
The congressional letter also points to reports alleging failures to comply with mandatory reporting requirements involving suspected child abuse or neglect. The lawmakers are asking federal officials to examine those allegations. They have not been established as findings by HHS-OIG.
The lawmakers wrote, “Given the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards.”
Bottom line
The coalition of 128 Republican lawmakers is urging HHS-OIG to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and compliance with federal laws and funding requirements, and to decide whether a deeper investigation is warranted.
Their letter asks for a wide-ranging look at funding across HHS channels and calls for coordination with CMS and OMB as part of what they describe as a comprehensive review. Planned Parenthood did not respond to a request for comment.