ACLJ FIGHTS BACK: We Stand Against Planned Parenthood’s Outrageous Assault on Our Constitution and Your Tax Dollars

Today, the ACLJ filed a powerful amicus brief in federal district court to help STOP Planned Parenthood’s most brazen attack yet on our constitutional system of government. In Planned Parenthood Federation of America v. Kennedy, these abortion extremists are demanding something absolutely unprecedented and downright dangerous: They want a federal judge to ORDER Congress to spend YOUR taxpayer money that Congress has specifically voted NOT to spend.

This is judicial tyranny at its worst, and the ACLJ is leading the charge to defeat it.

For over three decades, the ACLJ has been the tip of the spear in defending innocent human life and constitutional principles. We’ve taken on the abortion industry’s most powerful players and WON. Our attorneys have stood before the Supreme Court time and again, securing HISTORIC victories through important briefs in major cases, including:

• DOBBS v. JACKSON – We helped OVERTURN the tragic Roe v. Wade decision.
• TRUMP v. UNITED STATES – We defended presidential authority.
• COLORADO REPUBLICAN PARTY v. ANDERSON – We protected election integrity.

When the abortion lobby launches its most vicious attacks, it faces the ACLJ. When constitutional principles are under assault, WE are there to defend them. And when Planned Parenthood tries to force taxpayers to subsidize their deadly agenda, the ACLJ stands as an IMMOVABLE WALL. Now, during our 35th anniversary, we are in one of our biggest fights ever: a fight defending Congress’s attempt to stop subsidizing Planned Parenthood’s abortion agenda.

Planned Parenthood’s SHOCKING Demand

Let’s be absolutely clear about what Planned Parenthood – America’s largest abortion business – is demanding:

• They want to OVERRIDE Congress’s explicit decision not to fund their killing machine.
• They want to FORCE hardworking taxpayers to subsidize their abortion empire.
• They want to DESTROY the constitutional separation of powers by having activist judges control government spending.
• They want to SHRED the Constitution to get their hands on your tax dollars.

This isn’t just about abortion funding – this is about whether America remains a constitutional republic or becomes a judicial dictatorship where unelected judges override the will of the people’s representatives.

The ACLJ will NEVER let that happen.

Planned Parenthood’s Case DESTROYED by DECADES of Supreme Court Precedent

Here’s what Planned Parenthood doesn’t want you to know: The Supreme Court has REPEATEDLY and DECISIVELY rejected their demand for taxpayer subsidies. Our brief demolishes their arguments with rock-solid legal precedent:

MAHER v. ROE – The Court ruled that the government can “make a value judgment favoring childbirth over abortion” through funding decisions.

HARRIS v. McRAE – The Court held that refusing to fund abortion is NOT a penalty – it’s simply choosing not to subsidize death.

RUST v. SULLIVAN – The Court declared that “the Government has no constitutional duty to subsidize an activity merely because the activity is constitutionally protected.”

For DECADES, the Supreme Court has consistently held that there is NO constitutional right to taxpayer-funded abortion. These cases were all decided before Dobbs, which made even clearer that there is no right to abortion and certainly no right to funding for that abortion. Planned Parenthood knows this, but they’re hoping an activist judge will ignore established law to hand them a taxpayer-funded victory. The ACLJ won’t let them get away with it.

The Truth About “Fungible” Money That Planned Parenthood Wants Hidden

Planned Parenthood’s lawyers are trying to pull a fast one by claiming that since federal Medicaid doesn’t directly fund abortions (thanks to the Hyde Amendment), there’s no problem giving them taxpayer money for other services.

This is a LIE by omission. Every single taxpayer dollar Planned Parenthood receives for “permitted” services frees up other resources that it redirects toward its core mission: performing thousands of abortions every year. Money is fungible – a basic economic principle that Planned Parenthood hopes you’ll ignore.

As the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood has built a massive killing enterprise that depends on taxpayer subsidies to survive. We discuss in our brief that they have acknowledged themselves to be “at the forefront of the movement for reproductive rights” and the “only nationwide abortion provider.” Congress has every right – and moral obligation – to ensure that federal dollars don’t indirectly subsidize this machinery of death.

This Is NOT a “Bill of Attainder” – It’s Common Sense

Planned Parenthood’s claim that Congress’s funding decision constitutes a “bill of attainder” is legally frivolous and morally bankrupt. The Bill of Attainder Clause prohibits legislative punishment without trial – it doesn’t guarantee government handouts to abortion businesses.

Planned Parenthood hasn’t been punished – they’ve simply been denied a subsidy they’re not entitled to.

They can still operate their abortion clinics. They can still advocate for their deadly agenda. They can still perform abortions. They just can’t force YOU to pay for it.

If every funding decision were a potential bill of attainder, then every budget would face a constitutional challenge. The Constitution doesn’t require such an absurd result, and the ACLJ will make sure the courts understand this.

The Constitution’s CLEAR Command: Congress Controls the Purse

The most dangerous aspect of Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit is its assault on the separation of powers – the foundation of our constitutional republic. The Framers gave Congress – the branch closest to the people - EXCLUSIVE control over federal spending.

The Constitution’s text couldn’t be clearer: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

When Congress makes the considered judgment that federal funds should not support abortion providers, that judgment reflects the will of the American people. Planned Parenthood wants activist judges to override that decision and force taxpayers to subsidize their agenda against their will.

What’s REALLY at Stake: The Future of America

This case isn’t just about Planned Parenthood – it’s about whether America remains a constitutional republic or becomes a judicial oligarchy where unelected judges make the ultimate decisions about how YOUR tax dollars are spent.

If Planned Parenthood wins:

• ANY organization can demand taxpayer funding by running to activist judges.
• Congress loses its constitutional authority over federal spending.
• The separation of powers collapses.
• Judicial tyranny replaces representative government.

The ACLJ will NOT let this happen. We’re fighting for the lives of innocent children who will never be born if Planned Parenthood gets its taxpayer-funded victory. We’re fighting for the rights of taxpayers who shouldn’t be forced to subsidize activities that violate their deepest moral convictions. We’re fighting for the Constitution itself. We have filed this brief in the district court and will prepare to keep involved in this case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ACLJ doesn’t just represent clients – we represent YOU. Every American who believes in the sanctity of life, the Constitution, and limited government has a champion in the ACLJ.

But we can’t do this alone. These battles require resources, expertise, and unwavering commitment. When you support the ACLJ, you’re not just donating to a legal organization – you’re investing in VICTORY.

Together, we will send a clear message to Planned Parenthood and every other far-Left organization that thinks they can bypass Congress and force taxpayers to fund their agenda: NOT ON OUR WATCH.