"I think we need to be very clear about what we can and cannot achieve and not set expectations that we know we can't reach given the constraints of the Constitution," Paul Ryan said. | AP Photo Freedom Caucus giving Ryan benefit of the doubt The new speaker said defunding Planned Parenthood is unrealistic, and surprisingly conservatives were okay with that.

A few dozen hard-line conservatives were ready to shut down the government last month over Planned Parenthood. But after new Speaker Paul Ryan remarked over the weekend that defunding the women’s health group probably isn’t going to happen, several of the conservative firebrands greeted the remark with a shrug.

It was one early indication that members of the House Freedom Caucus, who prodded John Boehner into early retirement, are willing to give Ryan some running room early on in the job.


The conservative lawmakers say they’re still intent on stopping taxpayer money from flowing to the family planning organization. But they said they’re satisfied that Ryan is in their camp, and he’s willing to do what he can, given the reality that President Barack Obama has ruled out signing a spending bill that denies funding for Planned Parenthood.

“We’re absolutely committed to it,” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), one of the most outspoken critics of Planned Parenthood. “I think Paul is as committed to protecting the unborn … as much of any of us. The problem is, he is as capable as any of us at mathematical addition and subtraction.”

Freedom Caucus members said they trust that Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, will give them a chance to vote on a Planned Parenthood funding bill in the upcoming weeks, as part of the process of funding the government. Boehner also allowed several votes on the matter last month, before he left office.

In an interview Sunday on CNN, Ryan all but ruled out the possibility of stripping funds from Planned Parenthood.

“I think we need to be very clear about what we can and cannot achieve and not set expectations that we know we can’t reach given the constraints of the Constitution,” Ryan said on “State of the Union,” adding that he doesn’t believe Planned Parenthood deserves a “red cent” from taxpayers.

Similar comments from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), whom conservatives deeply distrust, prompted discussions among House members about the need to scrap the filibuster in the upper chamber.

“It’s an exercise in futility,” McConnell said in September. “I’m anxious to defund Planned Parenthood,” but “the honest answer of that is that’s not going to happen until you have a president who has a similar view.” Freedom Caucus members viewed the “futility” comment as a sign that McConnell was unwilling to try for a defund measure during the government shutdown debate.

But the difference in reactions is a sign that Freedom Caucus members meant it when they said they’re willing to give Ryan time to prove himself.

Freedom Caucus sources said the group is discussing how to proceed with its campaign to block funding for Planned Parenthood. The group is financed through the Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bill, which comes through committee.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) said as long as Ryan gives Republicans a chance during committee votes to attempt and defund the health care organization, the Wisconsin Republican won’t draw the ire of hard-liners.

Boehner’s “approach would have been to surrender,” Mulvaney said. Ryan, on the other hand, says, “Let’s find a battle we can win,” Mulvaney added.

Planned Parenthood has been in the cross hairs of Republicans since a series of leaked videos surfaced during the summer showing officials with the health care organization allegedly discussing fetal tissue sales. (Officials with the group have denied wrongdoing.) Before Boehner left, he helped launch a special committee to investigate the organization’s activities.

