Supreme Court Upholds Federal Authority Over Oklahoma's Family Planning Funds
Court Rules in Favor of Biden Administration
WASHINGTON – In a major victory for the Biden administration, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the federal government has the authority to withhold family planning funds from Oklahoma based on the state's refusal to provide abortion services.
Background of the Case
The case originated in 2020 when the Trump administration issued a new rule that allowed states to block funding for family planning providers that offer or refer for abortions. Oklahoma, which has a long history of restricting abortion access, quickly adopted the rule.
The Biden administration rescinded the Trump-era rule in 2021, but Oklahoma continued to withhold funds from its only family planning provider, Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services. Planned Parenthood challenged the state's decision, arguing that it violated federal law.
Court's Decision
- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Biden administration, upholding the authority of the federal government to withhold family planning funds from states that do not comply with federal law.
- The Court found that the Trump-era rule was "arbitrary and capricious" and that the Biden administration had the authority to rescind it.
- The Court also ruled that Oklahoma's decision to withhold funds from Planned Parenthood violated federal law because it discriminated against the provider based on its provision of abortion services.
Implications of the Ruling
The Court's decision is a significant victory for the Biden administration and for reproductive rights advocates. It ensures that states cannot use federal funds to discriminate against abortion providers or limit access to reproductive health care.
The ruling is also a blow to anti-abortion states, which have been increasingly passing laws restricting abortion access in recent years. The Supreme Court's decision makes it clear that states cannot simply ignore federal law when it comes to family planning funds.
