A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama has temporarily blocked a key provision of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which cut off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), stopping the funding ban for 14 days and scheduling a preliminary injunction hearing for July 21.
Planned Parenthood Sues Trump Admin Over Defunding Provision
Planned Parenthood immediately sued the Trump administration after the bill’s passage, claiming the one-year Medicaid funding ban would force clinics to close.
The organization — which performs over 300,000 abortions per year — argued the funding cut would affect its ability to provide birth control, STD treatment, and cancer screenings.
The provision doesn’t name Planned Parenthood directly but bars federal funds from going to providers “primarily engaged in family planning services” that also provide abortions.
Trump’s Bill Passed — But the Legal Fight Begins
The House passed the bill last week, and President Trump signed it into law on July 4 at the White House, calling it a major win for life and for taxpayers.
The bill is part of Trump’s broader agenda to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize abortion providers, even indirectly.
But the Biden-era judicial bench is already stepping in to shield Planned Parenthood from losing federal money.
What’s Next?
The judge’s TRO will stay in effect for two weeks unless extended or overturned. The preliminary injunction hearing is set for July 21, where the court will decide whether to continue blocking the provision while litigation proceeds.
If allowed to move forward, the Trump administration’s defunding clause could lead to up to 200 Planned Parenthood clinics closing nationwide, according to the group’s leadership.
