Josh Hawley

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2026 08:25

Senator Hawley Calls on House to Extend Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Transgender Treatments for Minors

Senator Hawley Calls on House to Extend Ban on Taxpayer-Funded Transgender Treatments for Minors

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Federal Ban on Medicaid Payments to Planned Parenthood and Similar Providers Expires on July 4, 2026

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, urging him to extend the ban on any federal funding for trans-treatment and abortion providers in the upcoming Budget Resolution. Senator Hawley's amendment to extend the ban was narrowly rejected by the Senate this week, and he is now calling on the House to act.

Senator Hawley wrote, "Last night, the Senate rejected my efforts to ban taxpayer funding for transgender treatments for minor children. The ball is now in your court. If the House fails to act immediately as part of reconciliation, billions of Federal dollars will go to Planned Parenthood and other medical "providers" for hormones, puberty blockers, and irreversible treatments for minor children. This is unconscionable. Not one dollar of federal tax dollars should be used for this purpose. I urge you to act without delay."

"Time is of the essence. As you well know, on July 4, the current federal bar on taxpayer payments to trans-treatment and abortion providers will expire. When that happens, billions of federal dollars will be diverted from Medicaid to pay for trans drugs and abortions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimated that Planned Parenthood alone received more than $1.5 billion in funds diverted out of Medicaid and Medicare between 2019 and 2021," he continued.

Senator Hawley concluded, "The House must take action now to protect America's children. As you work to pass a Budget Resolution for a new reconciliation bill, it must include a ban on any federal funding for these trans treatment and abortion providers. I urge you to act without delay or hesitation."

Read the full letter here or below.

The Honorable Mike Johnson

Speaker

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Johnson:

Last night, the Senate rejected my efforts to ban taxpayer funding for transgender treatments for minor children. The ball is now in your court. If the House fails to act immediately as part of reconciliation, billions of Federal dollars will go to Planned Parenthood and other medical "providers" for hormones, puberty blockers, and irreversible treatments for minor children. This is unconscionable. Not one dollar of federal tax money should be used for this purpose. I urge you to act without delay.

Time is of the essence. As you well know, on July 4, the current federal bar on taxpayer payments to trans-treatment and abortion providers will expire. When that happens, billions of federal dollars will be diverted from Medicaid to pay for trans drugs and abortions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimated that Planned Parenthood alone received more than $1.5 billion in funds diverted out of Medicaid and Medicare between 2019 and 2021.

We know what Planned Parenthood will use this money for. A new study by Concerned Women for America finds there has been a total increase of over 40 percent in "gender-affirming care," "gender-affirming visits," and "gender-affirming services" at Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. Planned Parenthood is positioned to supercharge its transgender agenda with taxpayer funding taken from the elderly and those in need.

The House must take action now to protect America's children. As you work to pass a Budget Resolution for a new reconciliation bill, it must include a ban on any federal funding for these trans-treatment and abortion providers. I urge you to act without delay or hesitation.

Sincerely,

Josh Hawley

United States Senator

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