---
title: "Letter: Pro-life groups urge Congress to redirect Planned Parenthood funding via reconciliation"
description: "Coalition letter from Susan B. Anthony List, March 31, 2017, to U.S. Congress. Composite 3/12 — incrementalist by implication. “redirect funds away from Planned Parenthood”"
type: "letter"
letter_id: "PL-2017-001"
date: "2017-03-31"
letter_type: "Coalition letter"
lead_org: "Susan B. Anthony List"
recipient: "U.S. Congress"
topic: "Planned Parenthood funding / reconciliation"
shortfall_type: "incrementalist_by_implication"
composite: 3
verification: "primary"
signature_rows: 77
primary_url: "https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/letter-pro-life-groups-urge-congress-redirect-planned-parenthoods-funding-via-reconciliation"
source_url: "https://www.abhortion.org/letters/pl-2017-001.html"
---

# Letter: Pro-life groups urge Congress to redirect Planned Parenthood funding via reconciliation

**Coalition letter** · March 31, 2017 · Incrementalist by implication · composite 3 / 12 · Primary source

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Letter ID | PL-2017-001 |
| Date | March 31, 2017 |
| Lead organization | [Susan B. Anthony List](../letters/orgs/o001.md) |
| Recipient | U.S. Congress |
| Topic | Planned Parenthood funding / reconciliation |
| Type | Coalition letter |
| Verification | Primary source |
| Signature rows | 77 (77 groups reported) |
| Completeness | Complete from letter text |

## Key language

> “redirect funds away from Planned Parenthood” — Susan B. Anthony List, March 31, 2017

## Scorecard

Composite **3 of 12** — incrementalist by implication. Each dimension is scored 0 (none), 1 (implied) or 2 (explicit); the rationale is the editor's one-line reason for every non-zero score. D2 and D4 are the fault line the abolitionist critique cares most about.

| Dimension | Score | Meaning at this score | Rationale |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| D1 Exceptions | 0 | None | — |
| D2 Immunity for the mother (fault line) | 0 | None | — |
| D3 Incrementalism | 1 | By implication — a funding, drug, research, Hyde or Title X letter that takes no abolition position | Seeks regulation/defunding/enforcement rather than abolition; takes no position on equal protection. |
| D4 Opposition to abolition or equal-protection bills (fault line) | 0 | None | — |
| D5 Framing | 0 | None | — |
| D6 Secular framing | 2 | Wholly secular, legal, fiscal, medical or political argument | Argued on fiscal, legal, medical or political grounds rather than Scripture/Gospel. |

## Signatories

77 signature rows · 77 groups reported by the letter · **Complete from letter text.** Full signature block transcribed from the letter itself. Rows are transcribed as printed, in printed order.

| # | Name as printed | Title as printed | Organization as printed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Marjorie Dannenfelser](../letters/people/i0001.md) | President | [Susan B. Anthony List](../letters/orgs/o001.md) |
| 2 | [Jeanne Mancini](../letters/people/i0002.md) | President | [March for Life Education and Defense Fund](../letters/orgs/o002.md) |
| 3 | [Paul Weber](../letters/people/i0003.md) | President & CEO | [Family Policy Alliance](../letters/orgs/o003.md) |
| 4 | [Penny Nance](../letters/people/i0004.md) | CEO & President | [Concerned Women for America](../letters/orgs/o004.md) |
| 5 | [Clarke Forsythe](../letters/people/i0005.md) | Acting President and Senior Counsel | [Americans United for Life](../letters/orgs/o005.md) |
| 6 | [Gary L. Bauer](../letters/people/i0006.md) | President | [American Values](../letters/orgs/o006.md) |
| 7 | [Ralph Reed](../letters/people/i0007.md) | Chairman | [Faith & Freedom Coalition](../letters/orgs/o007.md) |
| 8 | [Kristan Hawkins](../letters/people/i0008.md) | President | [Students for Life of America](../letters/orgs/o008.md) |
| 9 | [Tony Perkins](../letters/people/i0009.md) | President | [Family Research Council](../letters/orgs/o009.md) |
| 10 | [Frank Cannon](../letters/people/i0010.md) | President | [American Principles Project](../letters/orgs/o010.md) |
| 11 | [Lila Rose](../letters/people/i0011.md) | President | [Live Action](../letters/orgs/o011.md) |
| 12 | [Joseph Brinck](../letters/people/i0012.md) | President | [Sanctity of Life Foundation](../letters/orgs/o012.md) |
| 13 | [Donna J. Harrison M.D.](../letters/people/i0013.md) | Executive Director | [American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists](../letters/orgs/o013.md) |
| 14 | [Judie Brown](../letters/people/i0014.md) | President | [American Life League](../letters/orgs/o014.md) |
| 15 | [Star Parker](../letters/people/i0015.md) | President | [Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE)](../letters/orgs/o015.md) |
| 16 | [Jim Sedlak](../letters/people/i0016.md) | Founder | [STOPP International](../letters/orgs/o016.md) |
| 17 | [Tom McClusky](../letters/people/i0017.md) | President | [March for Life Action](../letters/orgs/o002.md) |
| 18 | [Steve Koob](../letters/people/i0018.md) | Director | [One More Soul](../letters/orgs/o017.md) |
| 19 | [Roland C. Warren](../letters/people/i0019.md) | President and CEO | [Care Net](../letters/orgs/o018.md) |
| 20 | [Jeff White](../letters/people/i0020.md) | Founder | [Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust](../letters/orgs/o019.md) |
| 21 | [Brian Gibson](../letters/people/i0021.md) | Executive Director | [Pro-Life Action Ministries](../letters/orgs/o020.md) |
| 22 | [Steven Ertelt](../letters/people/i0022.md) | Editor | [LifeNews.com](../letters/orgs/o021.md) |
| 23 | [Day Gardner](../letters/people/i0023.md) | President | [National Black Pro-Life Union](../letters/orgs/o022.md) |
| 24 | [Ryan Bomberger](../letters/people/i0024.md) | Chief Creative Officer | [The Radiance Foundation](../letters/orgs/o023.md) |
| 25 | [Eric J. Scheidler](../letters/people/i0025.md) | Executive Director | [Pro-Life Action League](../letters/orgs/o024.md) |
| 26 | [Dr. Carl Herbster](../letters/people/i0026.md) | President | [AdvanceUSA](../letters/orgs/o025.md) |
| 27 | [Fr. Frank Pavone](../letters/people/i0027.md) | National Director | [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) |
| 28 | [Kelsey Hazzard](../letters/people/i0028.md) | President | [Secular Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o027.md) |
| 29 | [Joe Langfeld](../letters/people/i0029.md) | Executive Director | [Human Life Alliance](../letters/orgs/o028.md) |
| 30 | [Janet Morana](../letters/people/i0030.md) | Executive Director, Priests for Life; Co-Founder, Silent No More Awareness Campaign | [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) |
| 31 | [Lauren Muzyka](../letters/people/i0031.md) | Executive Director | [Sidewalk Advocates for Life](../letters/orgs/o029.md) |
| 32 | [Joel Brind, PhD](../letters/people/i0032.md) | Pro-life Leader, New York | Own name |
| 33 | [Brad Mattes](../letters/people/i0033.md) | President and CEO | [Life Issues Institute](../letters/orgs/o030.md) |
| 34 | [Brian Fisher](../letters/people/i0034.md) | President | [Human Coalition](../letters/orgs/o031.md) |
| 35 | [Fr. Shenan J. Boquet](../letters/people/i0035.md) | President | [Human Life International](../letters/orgs/o032.md) |
| 36 | [Eve Andrade](../letters/people/i0036.md) | President | [Hawaii Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o033.md) |
| 37 | [Evangelist Alveda C. King](../letters/people/i0037.md) | Director Civil Rights for the Unborn | [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) |
| 38 | [Curt Smith](../letters/people/i0038.md) | President | [Indiana Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o034.md) |
| 39 | [James R. Nolan](../letters/people/i0039.md) | President | [Crossroads Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o035.md) |
| 40 | [Ryan McCann](../letters/people/i0040.md) | Executive Director | [Indiana Family Action](../letters/orgs/o036.md) |
| 41 | [Jonathan Imbody](../letters/people/i0041.md) | Vice President for Govt. Relations | [Christian Medical Association](../letters/orgs/o037.md) |
| 42 | [Cathie Humbarger](../letters/people/i0042.md) | Executive Director | [Allen County Right to Life & Three Rivers Right to Life Educational Trust Fund](../letters/orgs/o038.md) |
| 43 | [Jim Minnery](../letters/people/i0043.md) | President | [Alaska Family Action](../letters/orgs/o039.md) |
| 44 | [Cathi Herrod](../letters/people/i0044.md) | President | [Center for Arizona Policy](../letters/orgs/o040.md) |
| 45 | [Jerry Cox](../letters/people/i0045.md) | President | [Arkansas Family Council](../letters/orgs/o041.md) |
| 46 | [Jonathan Keller](../letters/people/i0046.md) | President | [California Family Council](../letters/orgs/o042.md) |
| 47 | [Debbie Chaves](../letters/people/i0047.md) | Executive Director | [Colorado Family Action](../letters/orgs/o043.md) |
| 48 | [Peter Wolfgang](../letters/people/i0048.md) | President | [Family Institute of Connecticut Action](../letters/orgs/o044.md) |
| 49 | [Nicole Theis](../letters/people/i0049.md) | President | [Delaware Family Policy Council](../letters/orgs/o045.md) |
| 50 | [Cole Muzio](../letters/people/i0050.md) | President & Executive Director | [Family Policy Alliance of Georgia](../letters/orgs/o046.md) |
| 51 | [Kevin Niebrugge](../letters/people/i0051.md) | President | [Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o047.md) |
| 52 | [Bob Vander Plaats](../letters/people/i0052.md) | President & CEO | [The FAMiLY LEADER (Iowa)](../letters/orgs/o048.md) |
| 53 | [Jenifer Bowen](../letters/people/i0053.md) | Founder and President, Life Right Action; Spokeswoman, Iowa Right to Life | [Iowa Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o049.md) |
| 54 | [Scott Valencia](../letters/people/i0054.md) | Chief Operating Officer | [Iowa Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o049.md) |
| 55 | [Eric Teetsel](../letters/people/i0055.md) | President & Executive Director | [Family Policy Alliance of Kansas](../letters/orgs/o050.md) |
| 56 | [Kent Ostrander](../letters/people/i0056.md) | Executive Director | [The Family Foundation (KY)](../letters/orgs/o051.md) |
| 57 | [Gene Mills](../letters/people/i0057.md) | President | [Louisiana Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o052.md) |
| 58 | [Carroll Conley](../letters/people/i0058.md) | Executive Director | [Christian Civic League of Maine](../letters/orgs/o053.md) |
| 59 | [Andrew Beckwith](../letters/people/i0059.md) | President | [Massachusetts Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o054.md) |
| 60 | [Michael Geer](../letters/people/i0060.md) | President | [Pennsylvania Family Council](../letters/orgs/o055.md) |
| 61 | [Jeanette Burdell](../letters/people/i0061.md) | Executive Director | [St. Joseph County Right to Life (MI)](../letters/orgs/o056.md) |
| 62 | [David Fowler](../letters/people/i0062.md) | President | [Family Action of Tennessee, Inc.](../letters/orgs/o057.md) |
| 63 | [John Helmberger](../letters/people/i0063.md) | Chief Executive Officer | [Minnesota Family Council](../letters/orgs/o058.md) |
| 64 | [Jonathan Saenz](../letters/people/i0064.md) | President | [Texas Values](../letters/orgs/o059.md) |
| 65 | [Connie Eller](../letters/people/i0065.md) | — | [Missouri Blacks for Life](../letters/orgs/o060.md) |
| 66 | [Victoria Cobb](../letters/people/i0066.md) | President | [The Family Foundation of Virginia](../letters/orgs/o061.md) |
| 67 | [Joe Ortwerth](../letters/people/i0067.md) | Executive Director | [Missouri Family Policy Council](../letters/orgs/o062.md) |
| 68 | [Jeff Laszloffy](../letters/people/i0068.md) | President | [Montana Family Foundation](../letters/orgs/o063.md) |
| 69 | [Karen Bowling](../letters/people/i0069.md) | Executive Director | [Nebraska Family Alliance](../letters/orgs/o064.md) |
| 70 | [Shannon McGinley](../letters/people/i0070.md) | Executive Director | [Cornerstone Action (New Hampshire)](../letters/orgs/o065.md) |
| 71 | [Len Deo](../letters/people/i0071.md) | Founder & President | [New Jersey Family Policy Council](../letters/orgs/o066.md) |
| 72 | [Rev. Jason J. McGuire](../letters/people/i0072.md) | Executive Director | [New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms](../letters/orgs/o067.md) |
| 73 | [Mark Jorritsma](../letters/people/i0073.md) | President & Executive Director | [Family Policy Alliance of North Dakota](../letters/orgs/o068.md) |
| 74 | [Aaron Baer](../letters/people/i0074.md) | President | [Citizens for Community Values (Ohio)](../letters/orgs/o069.md) |
| 75 | [Joseph Backholm](../letters/people/i0075.md) | President | [Family Policy Institute of Washington](../letters/orgs/o070.md) |
| 76 | [Julaine K. Appling](../letters/people/i0076.md) | President | [Wisconsin Family Action](../letters/orgs/o071.md) |
| 77 | [Mike O'Dea](../letters/people/i0077.md) | Founder and Executive Director | [Christ Medicus Foundation](../letters/orgs/o072.md) |

## Organizations on this letter

72 distinct organizations and 77 named individuals, after normalizing renamed and affiliated entities.

- [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America](../letters/orgs/o001.md) — Advocacy or other
- [March for Life](../letters/orgs/o002.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Family Policy Alliance](../letters/orgs/o003.md) — Family policy council
- [Concerned Women for America](../letters/orgs/o004.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Americans United for Life](../letters/orgs/o005.md) — Right-to-life group
- [American Values](../letters/orgs/o006.md) — Family policy council
- [Faith & Freedom Coalition](../letters/orgs/o007.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Students for Life of America](../letters/orgs/o008.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Family Research Council](../letters/orgs/o009.md) — Family policy council
- [American Principles Project](../letters/orgs/o010.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Live Action](../letters/orgs/o011.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Sanctity of Life Foundation](../letters/orgs/o012.md) — Advocacy or other
- [American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists](../letters/orgs/o013.md) — Medical
- [American Life League](../letters/orgs/o014.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Center for Urban Renewal and Education](../letters/orgs/o015.md) — Advocacy or other
- [STOPP International](../letters/orgs/o016.md) — Advocacy or other
- [One More Soul](../letters/orgs/o017.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Care Net](../letters/orgs/o018.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust](../letters/orgs/o019.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Pro-Life Action Ministries](../letters/orgs/o020.md) — Advocacy or other
- [LifeNews.com](../letters/orgs/o021.md) — Media
- [National Black Pro-Life Union](../letters/orgs/o022.md) — Advocacy or other
- [The Radiance Foundation](../letters/orgs/o023.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Pro-Life Action League](../letters/orgs/o024.md) — Advocacy or other
- [AdvanceUSA](../letters/orgs/o025.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Secular Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o027.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Human Life Alliance](../letters/orgs/o028.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Sidewalk Advocates for Life](../letters/orgs/o029.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Life Issues Institute](../letters/orgs/o030.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Human Coalition](../letters/orgs/o031.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Human Life International](../letters/orgs/o032.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Hawaii Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o033.md) — Family policy council, HI
- [Indiana Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o034.md) — Family policy council, IN
- [Crossroads Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o035.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Indiana Family Action](../letters/orgs/o036.md) — Family policy council, IN
- [Christian Medical & Dental Associations](../letters/orgs/o037.md) — Medical
- [Allen County Right to Life & Three Rivers Right to Life Educational Trust Fund](../letters/orgs/o038.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Alaska Family Action](../letters/orgs/o039.md) — Family policy council, AK
- [Center for Arizona Policy](../letters/orgs/o040.md) — Advocacy or other, AZ
- [Arkansas Family Council](../letters/orgs/o041.md) — Family policy council, AR
- [California Family Council](../letters/orgs/o042.md) — Family policy council, CA
- [Colorado Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o043.md) — Family policy council, CO
- [Family Institute of Connecticut Action](../letters/orgs/o044.md) — Family policy council, CT
- [Delaware Family Policy Council](../letters/orgs/o045.md) — Family policy council, DE
- [Georgia Life Alliance](../letters/orgs/o046.md) — Advocacy or other, GA
- [Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o047.md) — Right-to-life group, IN
- [The FAMiLY Leader](../letters/orgs/o048.md) — Family policy council
- [Iowa Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o049.md) — Right-to-life group, IA
- [Kansas Family Voice](../letters/orgs/o050.md) — Family policy council, KS
- [The Family Foundation of Kentucky](../letters/orgs/o051.md) — Family policy council, KY
- [Louisiana Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o052.md) — Family policy council, LA
- [Christian Civic League of Maine](../letters/orgs/o053.md) — Family policy council, ME
- [Massachusetts Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o054.md) — Family policy council, MA
- [Pennsylvania Family Institute](../letters/orgs/o055.md) — Family policy council, PA
- [St. Joseph County Right to Life (MI)](../letters/orgs/o056.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Family Action Council of Tennessee](../letters/orgs/o057.md) — Family policy council, TN
- [Minnesota Family Council](../letters/orgs/o058.md) — Family policy council, MN
- [Texas Values](../letters/orgs/o059.md) — Family policy council, TX
- [Missouri Blacks for Life](../letters/orgs/o060.md) — Right-to-life group, MO
- [Family Foundation of Virginia](../letters/orgs/o061.md) — Family policy council, VA
- [Missouri Family Policy Council](../letters/orgs/o062.md) — Family policy council, MO
- [Montana Family Foundation](../letters/orgs/o063.md) — Family policy council, MT
- [Nebraska Family Alliance](../letters/orgs/o064.md) — Family policy council, NE
- [Cornerstone Action (New Hampshire)](../letters/orgs/o065.md) — Family policy council, NH
- [New Jersey Family Policy Center](../letters/orgs/o066.md) — Family policy council, NJ
- [New York Families Action](../letters/orgs/o067.md) — Advocacy or other, NY
- [North Dakota Family Alliance](../letters/orgs/o068.md) — Family policy council, ND
- [Center for Christian Virtue](../letters/orgs/o069.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Family Policy Institute of Washington](../letters/orgs/o070.md) — Family policy council, WA
- [Wisconsin Family Action](../letters/orgs/o071.md) — Family policy council, WI
- [Christ Medicus Foundation](../letters/orgs/o072.md) — Advocacy or other

## Sources

- [sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-rele…](https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/letter-pro-life-groups-urge-congress-redirect-planned-parenthoods-funding-via-reconciliation) — Primary source (https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/letter-pro-life-groups-urge-congress-redirect-planned-parenthoods-funding-via-reconciliation)

## Editorial note

The rubric records distance from the standard published by Abolitionists Rising, not a moral verdict; every organization scored here regards itself as pro-life. Scores are judgment calls applied consistently by the published rubric.