WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced the Paycheck Protection Program Integrity Act, which requires the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates to return any funding received through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

“Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, the largest abortion providers in the country, broke the rules and applied for millions of dollars in PPP loans even though they were not eligible,” said Congresswoman Lesko following the introduction of the bill. “The Treasury Department has asked the affiliates to return the money, and this legislation will require them to do so. This money was intended to assist our country’s most vulnerable small businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic, not abortion providers; they must return these funds.”

Affiliates of PPFA, including Planned Parenthood of Arizona, improperly applied for $80 million in PPP loans through the SBA. Due to the SBA’s rules on affiliations and size of the businesses receiving the loans, Planned Parenthood affiliates were not eligible to receive PPP funds. The SBA and U.S. Treasury Department have asked Planned Parenthood affiliates to return the funds, but to date, no funds have been returned.

“Taxpayer funds should not be used to prop up Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider with over $1 billion in assets,” said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. “We thank Congresswoman Lesko for leading the effort to have taxpayer funds returned so that those funds can be used to benefit businesses truly in need.”

This legislation requires PPFA and its affiliates to return any loans received from the PPP program within 30 days of its enactment. The bill protects taxpayer dollars from being used to support the largest abortion provider in the United States.

 “It is disheartening to know that Planned Parenthood applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program loans, which were intended to help small businesses and charitable organizations,” said Travis Weber, Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs for the Family Research Council. “The American taxpayers do not want emergency relief funding being used to pay for the salaries and benefits of abortionists. We are grateful that Representative Lesko is taking action to ensure that Planned Parenthood returns these funds.”

Congresswoman Lesko was joined by Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Brian Babin (TX-36), Jim Baird (IN-04), Jim Banks (IN-03), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Ted Budd (NC-13), Ben Cline (VA-06), Doug Collins (GA-09), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Bill Flores (TX-17), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Mark Green (TN-07), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Michael Guest (MS-03), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Mike Johnson (LA-04), John Joyce (PA-13), Mike Kelly (PA-16), David Kustoff (TN-08), Robert Latta (OH-05), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Carol Miller (WV-03), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Mike Rogers (AL-03), David Rouzer (NC-07), Chip Roy (TX-21), Ross Spano (FL-15), Randy Weber (TX-14), Roger Williams (TX-25), and Ron Wright (TX-06) in the introduction of this legislation.

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