A coalition of 128 Republican lawmakers is pressing the HHS inspector general to review Planned Parenthood’s federal funding and open an investigation if the facts warrant it.
Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma led the bicameral letter to Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell. The lawmakers asked the watchdog to examine how taxpayer dollars reach Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates through HHS programs, grants, contracts, and sub-awards.
Fox News Digital reported that the coalition wants the Office of Inspector General to determine whether evidence exists of fraud, waste, abuse, misrepresentation, or other violations that affect federal health programs. If misconduct turns up, they want the agency to consider administrative remedies, suspension, exclusion from federal healthcare programs, or referrals to other authorities.
The letter also calls for coordination with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of Management and Budget on what the lawmakers described as a comprehensive review.
Smith, co-chairman of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, framed the request in plain terms. He said a full look at the organization’s compliance with federal funding standards is long past due.
Rep. Chris Smith said:
"It is long overdue for a comprehensive investigation and review, and I urge the HHS OIG to look closely to determine whether it has violated federal standards for federal funding recipients,"
Lankford focused on the allegations themselves and the duty to protect public money.
Sen. James Lankford said:
"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 that the inspector general should follow the facts, decide whether federal laws and funding rules were broken, and hold accountable anyone who misused taxpayer dollars.
The letter itself put the request this way:
"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,"
It also stressed the scale of the money at stake:
"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,"
Lawmakers pointed to a separate Small Business Administration review of more than $88 million in COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program loans received by 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates. The letter characterized that matter as whether the affiliates “illegally received $88 million” in pandemic loans.
SBA has described its own action as a review of whether the affiliates were eligible for the loans. That review is not a finding that the affiliates violated the law.
The congressional letter also cites reports alleging failures to comply with mandatory reporting requirements involving suspected child abuse or neglect. Lawmakers asked federal officials to examine those claims as well. None of the allegations have been established as findings by the HHS inspector general.
As of Wednesday evening, HHS-OIG told reporters it had not received the letter. The office said it will review the request for appropriate action once it arrives.
HHS-OIG stated:
"We have not received the letter and will review it for appropriate action once received,"
Planned Parenthood did not respond to a request for comment.
The coalition’s message is straightforward. Large sums of federal health money move through HHS channels. Recipients are supposed to meet clear standards. When serious questions about funding compliance, reporting duties, and eligibility keep surfacing, the inspector general is the right place to start.
Taxpayers deserve a full accounting. If the records are clean, the review will show it. If they are not, the remedies already exist.
