A key provision to block Medicaid funding to abortion provider Planned Parenthood will remain in the One Big Beautiful Bill after Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled on Monday that the language indeed complies with the chamber’s strict budget reconciliation rules.
The provision, which would bar Medicaid reimbursements for one year to “prohibited entities” that perform abortions was revised late Friday by GOP leaders in an effort to meet the criteria of the Senate’s Byrd Rule, which the Parliamentarian is supposed to follow. That rule limits what can be included in reconciliation bills, which are bills that can pass with a simple majority and cannot be filibustered.
The language does not specifically name Planned Parenthood, but it is the only national organization impacted by the restriction.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine broke from Republicans and joined Democrats in supporting an amendment by Washington Democrat Sen. Patty Murray that would have restored the funding. The Murray amendment was defeated 49-51.
On Tuesday morning, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said she is the ground at the Capitol for the Senate vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill, “a historic move to end forced taxpayer funding of Big Abortion. If it passes, it’ll be the biggest pro-life victory since Dobbs!”
The Parliamentarian’s ruling clears the path for Senate Republicans to include the one-year Planned Parenthood funding ban in the final bill, which they aim to pass using the reconciliation process without needing Democratic support. As of this writing, the Senate is moving into its 28th hour of voting on amendments to the bill, as Democrats seek to abort the bill entirely. Vice President JD Vance is on hand to break a possible tie vote.
Politico reported Monday that “Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s ability to pass the “big, beautiful bill” is hinging on Sen. Lisa Murkowski.”
Murkowski has been the subject of “an intense whip effort by GOP leaders over the past couple of hours as they try to offer her reassurances on Medicaid and food assistance. Thune, Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso talked to Murkowski on the floor for roughly an hour overnight. Thune and Murkowski huddled briefly in his office, and they were mum on details when they emerged shortly before 4 a.m.,” Politico reported.
Murkowski was holding out in an attempt to get more Medicaid money for Alaska and to preserve grants for so-called green energy.
