[JURIST] US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed [press release] a bill into law that scales back an Obama administration regulation [text] that protected certain federal funds for organizations that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood [advocacy website]. The new law [materials] will allow states to block such abortion providers from federal funds provided through the Title X Family Planning program [backgrounder]. In response to the action Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Dawn Laguens stated [press release], “Planned Parenthood strongly opposes President Trump’s willingness to undermine millions of women’s access to birth control through the Title X family planning program. Four million people depend on the Title X family planning program, and by signing this bill, President Trump disregards their health and well-being.”

In March this joint resolution was passed [JURIST report] by the Senate with Vice President Pence casting a tie-breaking vote. The joint resolution was passed [JURIST report] by the House of Representatives in February where they voted 230-188 in favor of the bill. The House vote was viewed as the first step [WSJ report] in the process of defunding Planned Parenthood. There have been other legislative attempts to reduce abortion throughout the US as well. In January, the House approved [JURIST report] a bill prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortions. Additionally, in January, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a law that added new licensing and inspection rules for facilities that perform abortions. In July, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against an Arizona law that could potentially prevent low-income women from obtaining healthcare from their chosen providers. Earlier in July, a US District Judge issued a preliminary injunction [JURIST report] against a Florida law intended to cut state funding to clinics administering abortions.