Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AL) has stated that she is opposed to the House’s attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. She is the first Republican Senator to specifically support the recently criticized organization, although Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) sort of backed it as well.
“I believe Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with their funding cuts in the bill,” Murkowski wrote in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). “I ask you to consider these programs going forward to determine if there is room for allowing continued funding.”
Last week, Sen. Collins came out against the House vote to defend Title X, the only federal program dedicated to reproductive health issues. “Sen. Collins is a longtime supporter of the Title X family planning program, and she believes the House’s decision to completely eliminate the funding is unwise,” Collins spokesman Kevin Kelley said. “The program has successfully reduced the number of unplanned pregnancies, therefore helping to reduce health care costs.” Planned Parenthood receives Title X funding, which is defunded in the Republican spending bill by an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN).
Murkowski expanded on her position in an e-mail to constituents. “I do believe that Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with its funding cuts contained in the H.R. 1 package,” she wrote in a Friday e-mail, obtained by POLITICO. “From 2002-2008, Planned Parenthood received $342 million in federal taxpayer money through Title X funding alone. With these funds, Planned Parenthood has provided women throughout the U.S. with important family planning and contraceptive services as well as screening for breast and cervical cancers for low-income women. I believe it is important that Title X organizations continue to receive funding. In Alaska, this includes five centers — two health department clinics, two Planned Parenthood clinics in Sitka and Soldotna and one independent clinic.”
On The Web
- Opposition Rises To De-Funding Planned Parenthood (lezgetreal.com)
- Opposition Rises To De-Funding Planned Parenthood (pinkbananaworld.com)
- GOOD FOR Lisa Murkowski! It’s time for a sensible Republican Senator! (iflizwerequeen.com)
- Planned Parenthood quandary (politico.com)
- Abortion sting hits Planned Parenthood (politico.com)
