Trump Addresses Millions in Loans Provided to Planned Parenthood

Trump Administration Reviews Planned Parenthood Loans

The Small Business Administration (SBA), under the Trump administration, is investigating whether affiliates of Planned Parenthood improperly obtained $88 million in loans during the COVID pandemic, as reported by The Daily Signal.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler stated, “Amid the pandemic, Planned Parenthood affiliates received $88 million in taxpayer funding to support their abortion-related agenda. The Biden Administration ensured they got nearly all of it forgiven, despite protests from the previous Trump Administration.”

She added, “Years later, we still believe that the Planned Parenthood Federation of America wasn’t eligible for any taxpayer relief during the pandemic.”

This scrutiny happens in the same week as the March for Life, a significant event where many pro-life advocates gather in Washington, D.C., to promote the rights of the unborn.

On Thursday, the SBA sent letters to 38 Planned Parenthood affiliates, asking them to demonstrate their eligibility for the over $88 million they received through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The Biden administration had previously forgiven 34 loans for these affiliates under the same program.

Now, the SBA is looking into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates misrepresented their organization sizes or their ties to the national organization to qualify for those loans incorrectly.

“In this review, we aim to reveal affiliates that took advantage of the American taxpayer. We intend to pursue all necessary actions to ensure they repay what they owe,” Loeffler remarked.

Affiliates that fail to provide the requested information may be deemed ineligible for loan forgiveness. Furthermore, any affiliates that the SBA finds submitted incorrect eligibility certifications could face serious consequences, including having to repay the loans, lose loan forgiveness eligibility, and possibly face civil or criminal penalties.

The Paycheck Protection Program, which operated from April 3, 2020, to May 31, 2021, was designed to assist small businesses in maintaining their payrolls amid pandemic disruptions. Applicants were required to self-certify their size and eligibility.

Although each Planned Parenthood affiliate claimed they were independent entities with fewer than 500 employees, the Trump administration concluded that none were truly eligible because their association with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America collectively exceeded the employee cap.

The Biden administration subsequently forgave many of these loans without a thorough review of the individual applications.

The SBA can initiate a review of loans even after they have been forgiven, as outlined in a recent announcement.

Congress had previously called for an examination of the PPP funds distributed to Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Sen. Joni Ernst from Iowa expressed concerns over the approval and forgiveness of these loans, accusing the Biden administration of obstructing their inquiries. Similarly, Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana had urged the previous Trump administration to investigate whether the loans violated SBA’s affiliation rules.