Musk, Ramaswamy Unveil Plan to Cut Funding for Planned Parenthood
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have unveiled a bold plan to tackle federal overspending, focusing on expenditures that they argue are being misallocated or unauthorized by Congress. In a recent op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, they emphasized their commitment to reforming government spending through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which President Donald Trump has appointed them to lead.
The pair said they would slash Planned Parenthood’s funding upon DOGE’s establishment.
Musk and Ramaswamy addressed skepticism regarding their ability to effect change through executive action, particularly in light of the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which restricts the president from halting expenditures approved by Congress.
JUST IN: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to completely cut Federal Funding going to Planned Parenthood.
DO YOU SUPPORT THIS? pic.twitter.com/yfYECblicb
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) November 21, 2024
They contend that Trump has previously suggested this law may be unconstitutional, and they believe the current Supreme Court would likely support this interpretation. Regardless of this legal debate, they assert that DOGE will target over $500 billion in annual federal spending that is either unauthorized or misused, including funds directed toward organizations like Planned Parenthood.
NEW in @WSJ: @ElonMusk and @VivekGRamaswamy plan to rein in federal overspending in their roles with the Department of Government Efficiency –– specifically, Planned Parenthood.
This will be a monumental win for life! pic.twitter.com/0YyCdad4QJ
— Faith & Freedom (@FaithandFreedom) November 21, 2024
The op-ed specifically mentions several areas where they plan to cut spending.
For example, they aim to eliminate the $535 million allocated annually to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the $1.5 billion in grants awarded to international organizations.
Additionally, they highlight nearly $300 million that goes to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States, which performed over 392,000 abortions between 2021 and 2022, the Daily Wire reported.
“DOGE will help end federal overspending by taking aim at the $500 billion plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorized by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended, from $535 million a year to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $1.5 billion for grants to international organizations to nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood,” Musk and Ramaswamy said.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s initiative is part of a broader effort to reverse what they describe as a decades-long expansion of executive power that has led to excessive regulation and wasteful spending. They argue that by adhering to Supreme Court guidance, DOGE can dismantle bureaucratic inefficiencies and restore accountability within federal agencies.
Trump praised their appointment, stating that together they will work to eliminate government bureaucracy, reduce unnecessary regulations, and restructure federal agencies for greater efficiency.
“Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies,” Trump said.
The announcement from Musk and Ramaswamy comes as reports indicate that numerous Planned Parenthood affiliates offered hormone therapy in 2022, raising concerns among conservatives about its role in gender “transition” for minors. The organization’s significant involvement in both abortion services and “gender-affirming care” has drawn criticism from various conservative factions.
In their op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy emphasize their commitment to transparency and accountability in government spending. They argue that many regulations currently in place exceed the authority granted by Congress and are detrimental to economic growth. By targeting these regulations for repeal and implementing cost-saving measures, they believe DOGE can reinvigorate the economy and empower American citizens.
Ultimately, Musk and Ramaswamy’s vision for DOGE represents a significant shift towards a more streamlined federal government focused on efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Their plans aim not only to cut unnecessary spending but also to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and aligned with congressional intent.
This approach resonates with conservative values of limited government and fiscal prudence, as Musk and Ramaswamy seek to restore a sense of accountability within the federal government while addressing key issues like unauthorized funding and regulatory overreach.
