Washington – Today the president of the Susan B. Anthony List commented on the defeat of an amendment sponsored by Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) to defund Planned Parenthood:
"Today Congress considered legislation to end federal taxpayer funding for the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood,'" said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser."Representative Mike Pence offered an amendment to respect the will of the majority of pro-life Americans, the citizens who do not want their hard-earned tax dollars supporting abortion providers. Our U.S. Government should promote real assistance for mothers that upholds the dignity of women and families, and doesn't rely upon subsidizing abortions at every turn. I am disappointed by the House decision to reject the Pence amendment in favor of continuing President Obama's radical abortion agenda. The Susan B. Anthony List will use every available tool to educate pro-life Americans across the country about the result of this vote. Americans will know whether or not their representative voted on the side of the pro-life taxpayer."
The House of Representatives rejected the Pence Amendment to defund Planned Parenthood by a vote of 183 to 247. The Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill contains $317.5 million for the Title X Family Planning program (a $10 million or 3% increase over 2008 levels), which is a major source of funding for Planned Parenthood affiliates. Planned Parenthood is the recipient of approximately 23% of Title X Family Planning funds.
In 2008, Planned Parenthood provided nearly 290,000 abortions, accounting for approximately one in five abortions nationwide. The organization has recently come under fire for failing to report cases of statutory rape and for encouraging teen girls to lie to clinic workers in order to evade parental notification and consent laws.
Susan B. Anthony List activists have sent over 340,000 letters urging Congress to keep taxpayer funds from supporting abortion on-demand in 2009.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 158,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
