The American People Warn Republicans: Don’t Shut Government Down Over Planned Parenthood

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 06:12 pm

A new poll contains a strong warning to Republicans from the American people that they will pay if they shut the government down over funding for Planned Parenthood.

In a new CNN/ORC Poll, thousands of Americans were asked whether it was more important to pass a budget agreement that would avoid a government shutdown, or eliminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Seventy-one percent of Americans said that passing a budget agreement and avoiding a government shutdown was the most important priority. Only 22% of those polled suggested that eliminating federal funding for Planned Parenthood should be the top priority.

There is less support for a government shutdown now than there was in 2013. When the same poll asked if passing a budget agreement or cutting off the funds so that major provisions of the health care law didn’t take effect was the top priority, 60% responded that avoiding a government shutdown was the top priority. Thirty-four percent supported stopping the health care law from taking effect.

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

A strong message is being sent to Republicans who are insisting on shutting down the government unless federal funding for Planned Parenthood is cut off. If Republicans pursue this strategy and shut the government down, they will pay a heavy price for their actions.

The American people don’t want the government shutdown over Planned Parenthood, but this fact doesn’t matter to Sen. Ted Cruz. The Senator for Texas wants to use a government shutdown to jumpstart his flatlined campaign for the Republican nomination. Cruz is buried behind Donald Trump and Ben Carson in the polls. He is looking for a gimmick that put him back into the national spotlight.

Cruz raised millions of dollars off of the government shutdown in 2013, and he is looking to do the same in 2015. Sen. Cruz is leading Republicans down the path to destruction. The GOP should consider itself warned if they choose to push this doomed fight over Planned Parenthood.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association