The movement to protect mothers, fathers, and unborn children from the pervasive threats and devastating consequences of abortion has thrived for decades, undeterred. The historic overturning of Roe v. Wade marked a seismic victory for the pro-life cause, a hard-fought triumph in the battle to affirm life. Yet, the grim reality persists — abortion continues to inflict irreparable harm and is, in part, propped up by millions of taxpayer dollars. But now, with Republicans wielding unified control of the House, Senate, and White House, could this be the moment pro-lifers have been praying for, the chance to finally turn the tide?

“Every year, taxpayers like you and me fund abortion providers to the tune of more than a half billion dollars,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Thursday’s “Washington Watch.” Funds, he added, that go directly to Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion business. “Again,” he stressed, “that’s each year. It’s time to tell Congress to turn off the spigot,” and right now is “an amazing opportunity” to do so.

Joining Perkins was Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), a titan in the push to defund Planned Parenthood. In fact, he has proposed legislation that would do just that. According to Smith, the GOP is “poised” to make this happen “if we have the courage.” With the right support and gaining the right votes, he explained, “hopefully people will be persuaded to put this into the reconciliation package, which does not require a supermajority on the Senate side.” This means “the filibuster [would have] no power over this initiative.”

Ultimately, “our leadership … is very committed to ensuring that a group called Planned Parenthood, that has … performed over 10 million abortions since 1973,” be defunded, Smith continued. “I mean, that is a numbing loss of children’s lives,” and only more continue to be lost each day.

Perkins underscored the broader vision: “We want the nation to embrace life.” However, “what we’re talking about here is government funded organizations … that perform abortions.” Between 2023 to 2024, Perkins highlighted how the abortion giant “received just shy of $700 million in taxpayer dollars. That’s almost $1 billion dollars coming from taxpayers.”

All this, he added, “was on the heels of them raising almost $500 million after the overturn of Roe. None of that money went to clinics. All of that went to their political campaigns.” Bewildered, Perkins asked, “how is it that an organization like this can get all of this tax money and then turn around and use it in campaigns?”

Smith didn’t mince words: “They really are shameful.” And through their campaigns, “they distort people’s voting records. They’re very aggressive with their … ads and their direct mail and all the other things that they do.” Smith emphasized, “It’s about time that every pro-life advocate in Congress and everywhere else realizes that they not only kill babies, [but that] they are a very deceptive organization that tries to defeat pro-life lawmakers as well.” Perkins recalled how Smith was “the target many times by Planned Parenthood because of your outspoken pro-life views.”

“[L]ook,” he continued, “everybody has a First Amendment right. I support that. But if you are going to take taxpayer dollars,” you shouldn’t then turn around and “engage in political advocacy in terms of candidates. I think there should be a line there.” Smith agreed, stating that “there needs to be an investigation. How often do they cross the line?”

On the topic of crossing lines, Perkins explained how not only is “sex trafficking … a huge issue globally, but here in the United States as well, there’s evidence to suggest that the operations of Planned Parenthood has covered up sex trafficking by not reporting some of the minors that have come into their clinics.” This, Smith underscored, is “a very serious charge.” He added, “I’ve written five laws, not bills, laws” aiming to combat this. “I get very angry when I realize that there are organizations that enable sex traffickers.”

As both men detailed, there are more than enough reasons to push for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Concerning action steps, Smith urged pro-lifers everywhere: “contact their congressman or congresswoman and their senators and ask them to vote to defund Planned Parenthood.” Ultimately, “we’re optimistic that we have a good — God willing — opportunity to defund Planned Parenthood this go around. And I do believe President Trump will be solidly behind this effort. He’s already called for a pause on Planned Parenthood [funding].” As Smith stated, pro-lifers, whether in government or not, just need to “have the courage to defend the most innocent and the most vulnerable among us.”

Regardless of any opposition, Smith concluded, “I’m not going to be turned around. I’m committed to defending life no matter what the cost is.”

Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand.