Anti-abortion provider measure in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ may stir mutiny

House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., recently unveiled his panel’s portion of the Republican reconciliation bill, which includes a measure aimed at cracking down on federal payments for abortion providers. However, this provision could face opposition from moderate House Republicans, particularly those representing districts that Trump lost in 2024.

During a conference call with GOP lawmakers, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., raised concerns about the provision that would make “large groups who provide abortion services” ineligible for federal Medicaid dollars. He warned his colleagues that they could be “running into a hornet’s nest” with this language and questioned how these groups were being defined.

Lawler also pointed out that the Hyde Amendment already prevents federal dollars from funding abortion services, suggesting that the language of the provision needed to be reviewed. Other New York Republican lawmakers have indicated that they may oppose the final bill if this provision remains included.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously mentioned Republicans’ plans to redirect funds from “big abortion” to federally qualified health centers in a speech at the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s gala last month. This measure is part of the broader effort to rein in spending to accommodate Trump’s other priorities through the budget reconciliation process.

The budget-reconciliation process allows Republicans to pass legislation with a simple majority in the House, where they currently hold a narrow three-vote margin. This means that any dissent within the party could jeopardize the passage of the bill without Democratic support.

In addition to the anti-abortion provider measure, the bill released by the Energy & Commerce Committee includes spending cuts of over $900 billion. It also proposes instilling work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries and targeting Medicaid funds going towards states that provide healthcare to illegal immigrants. Furthermore, the legislation aims to repeal certain Biden administration green energy subsidies, such as the electric vehicle mandate.

As committees work on their specific portions of the bill, it will eventually be compiled into a comprehensive package to be passed by the House and Senate. The GOP is hoping to use the budget reconciliation process to address Trump’s priorities on border security, immigration, taxes, defense, energy, and raising the debt ceiling.

It remains to be seen how the opposition from moderate House Republicans will impact the final bill and whether the anti-abortion provider measure will be revised or removed in response to their concerns. The intricacies of the legislative process and the potential implications of these measures will continue to unfold as the bill progresses through Congress.