Connecticut governor announces $10M in taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has announced plans to direct more than $10 million in state taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.

Lamont’s proposal includes $10.4 million for Planned Parenthood as part of a larger $41 million package meant to replace lost federal dollars for various social programs, LifeSiteNews reports.

The funding would come from a pool of nearly $168 million already committed by the state, with lawmakers having approved up to $500 million to backfill federal funding gaps. 

Lamont defends the spending, arguing the federal government shouldn’t restrict funding for abortion providers. 

“It is a shame that the federal government is cutting back on these services that provide a safety net for those who are most in need and which ultimately support the health and safety of our entire country,” Lamont said. “These are services that must continue to be supported, and here in Connecticut we will stand behind them.” 

Republican legislative leaders have pushed back. 

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, and Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said some programs merit emergency funding. However, they think others must go through the legislative process. 

“We support replacing lost federal funding that directly helps families – such as SNAP food assistance when the government stopped sending families their benefits and mitigating health insurance costs in the short term amid federal dysfunction – other elements of this proposal raise serious questions,” the lawmakers said. 

The Republicans specifically criticized the Planned Parenthood funding, arguing lawmakers shouldn’t treat it as an emergency expense. 

“Setting aside $4.7 million for long-term community outreach to help residents understand updated SNAP work requirements unrelated to the shutdown, $1.5 million to cover operational expenses for new DSS initiatives while this agency refuses to address fraud and abuse, and $10 million to cover Planned Parenthood’s expenses dating back to last summer and extending into next year – these are policy initiatives that could have, and should have, been handled in the regular legislative session beginning February 4th,” they said. “An emergency reserve should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not used as a vehicle for programs that belong in the normal budget process.” 

Democrats hold large majorities in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly, making approval of the funding likely. 

The move comes as President Donald Trump took several actions to reduce taxpayer support for abortion providers. The administration has enforced the Hyde Amendment, reinstated the Mexico City Policy, frozen Title X grants for some abortion providers and signed legislation temporarily barring Medicaid funds from going to abortion providers.