Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a leading voice on women’s health and reproductive rights in the U.S. Senate, is sounding the alarm over a controversial provision in the Republican-backed “Big Ugly” spending bill that seeks to defund Planned Parenthood. In a forceful statement on social media, Senator Murray warned that the inclusion of the measure could result in the closure of clinics across the country, stripping women of access to cancer screenings, birth control, and essential health services.
“I will be forcing a vote to try to strip it out,” Murray wrote. “Fight like hell. We need to kill this bill.”
The senator’s message has since ignited fierce debate on Capitol Hill, where both parties are gearing up for a contentious battle over federal funding, reproductive rights, and the future of women’s healthcare.
What’s in the “Big Ugly” Bill?
The “Big Ugly” is the nickname used for a massive, sweeping budget reconciliation package that includes multiple Republican priorities. While intended to address government funding and long-term fiscal reform, critics argue that it also carries deeply ideological provisions — one of the most controversial being the clause to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
Republican lawmakers argue that taxpayer dollars should not go to organizations that provide abortion services. While it is already illegal for federal funds to be used directly for abortions (under the Hyde Amendment), Planned Parenthood does receive federal reimbursements through Medicaid and Title X for services such as cancer screenings, STD testing, and family planning.
If this provision passes, Planned Parenthood would lose hundreds of millions in federal funding, which supporters of the organization say would force clinics across the U.S. to reduce services, close locations, or eliminate care entirely.
Senator Murray’s Response
Senator Murray, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has long fought to protect access to reproductive healthcare. In her latest remarks, she warned that the consequences of defunding Planned Parenthood would be catastrophic for millions of women — particularly those in low-income and rural communities who rely on the organization as their primary healthcare provider.
“Let’s be clear: This isn’t just about abortion,” she said in a floor speech last week. “This is about cancer screenings. It’s about birth control. It’s about STI treatment. It’s about keeping people healthy — and alive.”
Murray confirmed that she will introduce an amendment to strip the Planned Parenthood provision from the bill and is rallying fellow Democrats — and potential moderate Republicans — to join her effort.
National Impact of Defunding
Planned Parenthood serves more than 2 million patients a year, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured. In some states, it is one of the few available options for comprehensive reproductive healthcare. According to the organization, nearly 80% of its patients live at or below 150% of the federal poverty line.
Defunding the organization would hit marginalized communities the hardest — particularly women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and rural residents who already face barriers to accessing healthcare.
Health policy experts warn that such a move could lead to increases in unintended pregnancies, undiagnosed cancers, and untreated sexually transmitted infections.
Political Stakes and What Comes Next
The inclusion of the Planned Parenthood provision in the “Big Ugly” bill reflects the growing divide in Congress over reproductive rights, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. With many red states enacting strict abortion bans, federal-level protections have become a central battleground.
Senator Murray’s effort to remove the defunding language sets up a high-stakes vote in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. A few swing votes could determine whether the amendment survives — or whether the bill moves forward with Planned Parenthood defunding intact.
As the battle over the “Big Ugly” spending bill intensifies, Senator Patty Murray’s pledge to fight for Planned Parenthood signals a renewed push to protect reproductive healthcare in America. With access to basic health services for millions of women on the line, the outcome of this legislative showdown could have lasting consequences for the nation’s healthcare landscape — and for the future of women’s rights.