Speaker Mike Johnson Targets Planned Parenthood and PBS Funding

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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) expressed his support for defunding Planned Parenthood and PBS when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House, emphasizing the need to build consensus in Congress to achieve these goals. In an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News’s The Story, Johnson discussed the challenges of cutting funding for these organizations, noting that success would depend on legislative unity.

Johnson explained that some of this can be addressed through executive orders from the White House, as the president has broad authority in these areas, however, where Congress is involved, it requires the hard work of legislating and aligning members behind a common vision and we’re preparing the playbook now, but much of it will be rolled out in January.

Johnson also highlighted the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, which is tasked with tackling wasteful federal spending. He characterized the department as an opportunity to significantly reduce the influence of the regulatory and administrative state.

Johnson stated that they see this as a generational opportunity to transform the deep state and with Elon and Vivek leading the charge, He also stated that he is confident that they can make substantial progress in dismantling unnecessary spending.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy shared their vision for the Digital Oversight for Government Expenditures (DOGE) initiative, focusing on tackling unauthorized federal spending. They highlighted specific expenditures, such as $535 million allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, $1.5 billion in international grants, and nearly $300 million directed to Planned Parenthood. The initiative aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability in federal budgeting processes.

Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report highlights a significant reliance on taxpayer funding, with $699.3 million received through government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements, accounting for 34% of its total revenue. According to the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, taxpayer funding for the organization has surged by 43% since 2010, alongside a 44% increase in private contributions, which now total $997.5 million.

Additionally, CEO compensation at Planned Parenthood affiliates has risen significantly. A report by STOPP International revealed that total compensation for Planned Parenthood affiliate CEOs increased by 26.3% between 2015 and 2020, with average annual pay rising from $237,999 to $317,564 over five years. As debates over federal funding continue, Johnson and his allies are preparing to push forward with their plans, aiming to reshape government spending priorities in alignment with conservative principles.