Recent pro-life news, including a bill in Texas that would reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances.

Here is a summary of recent developments in pro-life politics in the United States.

MPs demand inquiry into abortion funding

Over 100 members of Congress he asked Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the amount of federal funding given to abortion providers nationally and internationally over the past three years, including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates.

One hundred and twelve members of Congress signed on November 22 letter led by House Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). Eighty-one House members and 31 senators signed the letter, including top leaders such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

A 2023 GAO report finder that between 2019 and 2021, the US government provided $1.89 billion in federal funding to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America and MSI Reproductive Choices.

Republican congressmen are trying to stop the expansion of IVF for the military

Two Republican representatives incentive the House and Senate Armed Services Committees not to expand health insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) to military personnel, citing high costs and ethical concerns.

In a November 21 letterReps. Matt Rosendale (MT) and Josh Brecheen (OK) asked committee leaders in both chambers not to include provisions expanding access to the fertility treatment method that involves the artificial creation of many embryos, most of which are never born.

In the letter, Rosendale and Brecheen noted, “There are no limits under current law on how many embryos can be created in an IVF cycle.” The two said the Centers for Disease Control could not provide “basic information,” such as how many embryos are screened for sex selection or genetic abnormalities, or how many embryos are destroyed each year.

Representatives noted that in 2021 there were “4.1 million embryo babies created through IVF, but only 97,128 of those babies were born,” meaning only 2.3 percent of embryo babies are ever born, according to CDC and Family Research figures Council. The representatives called on Congress to “protect the most vulnerable and reject any provision that leads to the destruction of innocent human life.”

When it comes to IVF, MPs have opposing views. Supporters tout the technology as pro-family, while opponents point to the loss of unborn life that is an inherent part of the process. Rosendale, a Catholic who is retiring from Congress, shares these latter moral and ethical concerns.

Catholic Church teach that IVF is not a moral method of fertility treatment because it separates conception from the conjugal act and because multiple embryos are created only to be discarded.

Texas bill could reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances

A bill has been introduced in the Texas legislature to reclassify abortion pills as Schedule IV substances, meaning the drugs would be considered controlled substances. Medicines are used in abortions as well as for miscarriage care and other uses. The first pill in the regimen, mifepristone, deprive the unborn child of necessary nutrients, while the second pill, misoprostol, induces the birth of the deceased child.

Pat Curry, R-Waco, filed HB 1339 November 14. If adopted, bill it would take effect on September 1, 2025. It would also designate the muscle relaxant carisoprodol as a controlled substance, in addition to the two abortion drugs. The Texas Controlled Substances Act dictates that holding of a fraudulent prescription is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 or 180 days in jail.

The measure follows the state of of Louisiana reclassification of abortion pills earlier this year.