Posted on 07/17/2009 12:30:10 PM PDT by wagglebee
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.
ACTION: Contact members of the House Rules Committee and urge support for a vote on the Pence amendment. Find a list of members here.
Exactly! It is axiomatic that Big Abortion is simply using government money to offset lowered profits on abortion.
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It is a shame that there has not been a moment in the last 8.5 years, when the Republicans controlled the White House, the Senate and the House, which would have without question been used to stop federal funding of Planned Parenthood.
bump!
God bless Mike Pence. We need this victory. It isn’t the same as winning the entire battle, but step by step, we must keep marching toward that goal.
I don't think there is even a remote chance of winning this battle. But what we need now are still folks like Pence who are willing to go to Washington and fight for life.
That’s because they didn’t want to stop it. It generates too much press and donations. Sorry to be so cynical, but I really believe it. There are too many PROLINOs (pro-lifers in name only).
If anybody thinks the Rats give a tinkers dam about anything the republicans offer,you’re not paying attention.
You are not being cynical when you are right on target.
The Republicans had the chance to get this amendment passed in that very brief geologic moment between 2001 and 2007 when they controlled the White House, the Senate and the House. However, the GOP leadership Elected not to pass such an amendment.
And yes, elections have consequences and the party in power does not have to give a tinker's dam about the wishes of the minority party.
However, it would seem that the GOP did give a tinker's dam about the wishes of the Democrats as the GOP did capitulate to the wishes of the minority Democrats concerning Planned Parenthood that very brief geologic moment between 2001 and 2007.
Hurray and applauds to Congressman Mike Pence!!!!The abortion industry may be likened to the porn industry, along with the topless, bottomless and brainless strip joints, with one exception, the pro-abortion industry is supported by the tax-payers money.
If the money was taken out of them all they would close over night. If all these can be called freedom of speach, or freedom of the press, or freedom of choice, then let it be. That is “free” and not supported with any government funds, but let it be the “free” exercise of the constitution, not a government endorsed, and established occupation.
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