Judge blocks abortion funding ban in 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
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null / Credit: Brian A Jackson/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 15:46 pm (CNA).Massachusetts federal judge Indira Talwani on Tuesday issued a ruling blocking the provision in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that stopped taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers.In the July 21 ruling, Talwani unilaterally decided that the law does not apply to abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood and granted the organization's request for a temporary injunction while the lawsuit progresses.Planned Parenthood sued the administration in the Planned Parenthood v. Kennedy lawsuit challenging the provision in the recent reconciliation bill that sought to prohibit abortion centers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year. The case stated the "Defund Provision" violates the First Amendment, the equal protection clause, and the bill of attainder clause of the Constitution. Another affected abortion center, Maine Family Planning, also filed...
null / Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 15:46 pm (CNA).
Massachusetts federal judge Indira Talwani on Tuesday issued a ruling blocking the provision in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that stopped taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers.
In the July 21 ruling, Talwani unilaterally decided that the law does not apply to abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood and granted the organization's request for a temporary injunction while the lawsuit progresses.
Planned Parenthood sued the administration in the Planned Parenthood v. Kennedy lawsuit challenging the provision in the recent reconciliation bill that sought to prohibit abortion centers from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year. The case stated the "Defund Provision" violates the First Amendment, the equal protection clause, and the bill of attainder clause of the Constitution.
Another affected abortion center, Maine Family Planning, also filed a similar lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to restore Medicaid funding.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the political group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, called the decision "a desperate attempt to run out the clock and a shameful abuse of our tax dollars."
In a statement, SBA Pro-Life America slammed the ruling, reporting that "every day the order remains in effect, Planned Parenthood continues to rake in millions from American taxpayers."
"Every day her decision remains in effect, millions are funneled into a business that profits from ending unborn lives and putting women at risk," Dannenfelser said. "Planned Parenthood's desperate ploy for our tax dollars only underscores why the One Big Beautiful Bill is such a historic win. It halted, for the first time, over half a billion taxpayer dollars from propping up the corrupt abortion industry."
"Life is winning. And Big Abortions' death grip is slipping. With community health centers outnumbering Planned Parenthood facilities 15 to 1, women have better and more comprehensive alternatives. We look forward to the Trump administration swiftly ending this lawfare and restoring the historic victory secured through the One Big Beautiful Bill," Dannenfelser concluded.
Other pro-life organizations have also spoken out following the decision. Students for Life of America reported in a post to social media platform X that the decision by the "unelected judge … forced Americans to hand $800 million to Planned Parenthood — the nation's largest abortion vendor."
"The courts are protecting death and the abortion industry, not the 402,000 innocent babies that Planned Parenthood kills each year," the post concluded.
Lila Rose, founder of global pro-life organization Live Action, called Talwani "a rogue district judge" who is "trying to force Americans to keep bankrolling killing children."
Rose called the ruling "blatant judicial abuse" and urged the Trump administration to "appeal immediately."
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Cardinal Fernando Filoni speaks to "EWTN News Nightly" on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 / Credit: EWTN NewsVatican City, Jul 23, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).A longtime Vatican diplomat now dedicated to aiding Christians in the Holy Land recently offered reflections on the Church's mission in conflict zones and its roots in the Middle East. In a wide-ranging interview with "EWTN News Nightly" on July 22, Cardinal Fernando Filoni underscored that the Middle East is not just part of Christianity's past but remains an area of vital importance."Being there means not letting this vast region be considered only historically as the beginning of the Church, without living Christian communities," he said. A portion of the interview was broadcast on Tuesday evening. Despite waves of emigration and violence, Filoni insisted, the Church cannot forget her roots. "Jerusalem is the Mother Church. No one should forget their mother's and father's home," he said.Filoni recalled vividly his serv...
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The grounds at the Sanctuary of La Sainte-Baume. / Credit: Sanctuary of La Sainte-BaumeWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:17 pm (CNA).Tucked away in a rocky mountain in southeast France is a cave formed by natural erosion called La Sainte-Baume. It is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage sites in the world as it is the place where Mary Magdalene is believed to have spent the last 30 years of her life.Esteemed by St. Thomas Aquinas as the "Apostle to the Apostles," St. Mary Magdalene is regarded by the Dominicans as a secondary patroness of their order, which was founded in Toulouse, France. Appropriately, the cave remains under the care of the friars in the Toulouse province. The Dominicans are charged with the task of welcoming and evangelizing pilgrims who make their way to La Sainte-Baume. (The word "baume" comes from the Provençal word "baumo," meaning "cave.") The friars, alongside staff and volunteers, run the hostelry located next to the convent at the f...
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Sean Graber, president of EWTN Digital (left), and Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios. / Credit: EWTNWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:47 pm (CNA).Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw has announced a new organizational structure to further EWTN's mission in the digital landscape by enhancing its content creation and distribution methods under the leadership of two new presidents.EWTN will now align its operations around two new divisions: EWTN Studios and EWTN Digital. Led by Peter Gagnon, EWTN Studios will focus on content development, while Sean Graber will lead EWTN Digital, which will prioritize the network's media distribution and broadening its audience. (Note: EWTN is the parent company of CNA.)"Under the leadership of our foundress, Mother Angelica, EWTN learned to constantly adopt new technology to reach souls," Warsaw said. "Just as our major network peers in secular media have done, this change in structure will al...