Congressman to Offer Amendment to De-Fund Planned Parenthood

Congressman to Offer Amendment to De-Fund Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 17, 2009



Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The most recent annual report shows Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business, received $350 million in taxpayer dollars from state, local and federal governments. Congressman Mike Pence says that's too much money and he is floating an amendment to reduce the flow.

Pence, an Indiana Republican, will offer an amendment next week to the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The amendment would stop HHS’ Family Planning funding (Title X) from going to Planned Parenthood.

"Planned Parenthood is the largest recipient of family planning money and is also the largest abortion provider in America—this should not be," Pence's office told LifeNews.com on Friday. "Although Title X cannot be used to directly pay for abortions, government financial assistance is a vital tool in offsetting operational costs, therefore freeing up money to provide more abortions."

The Pence amendment says “None of the funds made available under this Act shall be available to Planned Parenthood for any purpose under Title X of the Public Health Services Act.”

The amendment does not cut any funding from the family planning program but ensures none of the money goes to the Planned Parenthood abortion business.

While the majority of Americans who are pro-life likely support such an amendment, members of the House of Representatives may not get an opportunity to vote on it.

Pence will offer the amendment next week in the House Rules Committee, which has already repeatedly voted to prevent pro-life amendments stopping the direct taxpayer funding of abortions that President Barack Obama wanted in the District of Columbia and overseas.

Yesterday, Democratic leaders manipulated a vote on rules that prevented consideration of an amendment to stop tax-funded abortions in the nation's capital.

Pence is asking for members of the committee to approve a rule for debate on the appropriations bill that allows a vote on his amendment.

"We encourage you to get the word out to all pro-life Americans to let them know that this important amendment will be filed," his office told LifeNews.com. "The committee will have the power to allow or block a simple up-or-down vote on the Pence Amendment on the House floor."

Looking at its most recent report, the total government grants and contracts received by PPFA affiliates from government sources increased from $337 million to $350 million in fiscal year 2007-2008.

At the same time, abortions increased to 305,310 abortions up from 289,750 in 2006. Looking at Planned Parenthood data from 1997 to the present, the increase in government funding corresponds with an increase in the number of abortions. (See image)

In 1997, Planned Parenthood did about 160,000 abortions and received approximately $160 million in total taxpayer funding from various levels of government. Both the number of abortions and the amount of money received from government, supposedly for family planning to reduce abortions, has double since then.