The videos have been especially controversial because of the casual descriptions by the Planned Parenthood officials of the abortion procedures they use to obtain tissue, and because they show close-ups of fetal organs in laboratories.
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The release of these videos has some lawmakers wanting to stop federal funding for Planned Parenthood. “I continue to stand for women’s health and making sure there are health care services available”. “The American people are sick and exhausted of it”. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, sarcastically asked Senate Republicans. The Senate blocked a Republican drive Monday to term…
Two Democrats, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, broke ranks and supported the defunding effort.
Democrats led the effort to filibuster a bill sponsored by Sen. The Republican-backed motion is expected to fail; as NPR notes, calls to cut off the organization’s funding are nothing new. “They raise real fundamental questions about what kind of society we want to be”. Videos have shown Planned Parenthood’s chief medical personnel engaging in the sale of the body parts of aborted babies. Only Republican Sen. Mark Kirk voted against the bill, though McConnell switched his vote to “no” as a way to ensure he can bring the measure up again in the future.
Republicans on Capitol Hill have clashed with President Barack Obama over federal money for Planned Parenthood before.
It should be noted that federal funds do not go towards abortions, unless in the case of rape, incest, or if the woman’s life is in danger.
Planned Parenthood and its supporters have sought to shift the focus, saying abortions represent just 3 percent of the 10.9 million services the organization provides annually in almost 700 clinics.
“It sickens me to see what’s been going on with Planned Parenthood“, Sen. Even so, the GOP is hoping to reap political gains because the videos have ignited the party’s core conservative, anti-abortion voters. Both were among the 50 Senators who sent a letter last week to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell demanding an investigation into Planned Parenthood. Members of the GOP have insinuated that they will not vote for a spending bill this fall that funds Planned Parenthood.
Tthe man behind the videos says he wanted to expose Planned Parenthood’s practices.
Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes issued a statement Monday characterizing Reed’s position as “outrageous and irresponsible”.
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Collins said no Planned Parenthood affiliates in Maine engage in fetal tissue sales. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said on Monday in a press conference that Democrats will not give in. “We need to know that Planned Parenthood is operating legally and complying with state laws regarding the safety of clinics”. “They have to do with cancer screening”.
