Senate votes to redirect Planned Parenthood funding

March 30, 2017

Resolution overturning Obama’s executive order heads to President’s desk 

 

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 2017     PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304

---

COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, the U.S. Senate approved H.J. Res. 43 to overturn former President Obama’s rule regarding funding of abortion providers under the federal Title X family planning program. The Title X rule, which was issued by Health and Human Services in the final days of the Obama administration, prohibits states from redirecting Title X dollars from Planned Parenthood to community health centers. 

“Ohio Right to Life is eager to see Congress and President Trump turn back the tide of pro-abortion corporatism that has plagued our government for the last eight years,” said Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life. “Unfortunately, President Obama used his last days of the presidency to run roughshod over states’ rights and dole out favors to the abortion industry. We thank the Senate for voting to protect states’ rights and taxpayer dollars from Planned Parenthood.” 

Many states attempted to redirect Title X dollars to community health centers in the wake of the 2015 video scandal in which Planned Parenthood staff and directors were caught discussing the trade of aborted babies’ body parts. According to Planned Parenthood’s annual report, in 2014-2015, the organization received $554 million in taxpayer funding, about 43 percent of its revenue. The same year, Planned Parenthood performed 323,999 abortions.

“No corporation that is as much of a scandal-ridden political machine as Planned Parenthood should receive taxpayer funding,” said Gonidakis. “The taxpayers of all 50 states should have the opportunity to say ‘no’ to corporate abortion, and ‘yes’ to funding the thousands of comprehensive health care centers located across America. We look forward to seeing this important right returned to the states.”

The U.S. House voted to undo the HHS rule in February. The resolution now heads to the desk of President Donald Trump.