Conservative Leaders to Boehner: Defunding Planned Parenthood is Non-Negotiable

CNS News ^ | 2/24/2011 | Terence P. Jeffrey

[IbJensen]

(CNSNews.com) - A coalition of prominent pro-life conservative leaders sent House Speaker John Boehner (R.-Ohio) a letter on Thursday stating their position that an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence (R.-Ind.) that prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood must be a “non-negotiable” element in any continuing resolution that House Republicans agree to enact next week to keep the government funded past March 4.

“Defunding Planned Parenthood must be a non-negotiable in the Continuing Resolution and we urge you to accept nothing less than this outcome,” the conservatives told Boehner.

In its most recent annual report, Planned Parenthood said it took in $349.6 million in government funds in fiscal 2008. That same year, Planned Parenthood says it performed 324,008 abortions.

The pro-life conservatives who called on Speaker Boehner not to agree to any CR that permits federal funding of Planned Parenthood included, among others, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly, Let Freedom Ring President Colin Hanna, Concerned Women for America CEO Penny Nance, Hispanic Leadership Fund President Mario Lopez, American Values President Gary Bauer, American Principles Project President Frank Cannon, and RedState.com Editor Erick Erickson.

The continuing resolution enacted at the end of last year by the lameduck Congress expires on March 4. To keep the government funded after that date, Congress must pass, and President Barack Obama must sign, a new continuing resolution.

Planned Parenthood cannot receive federal funding after March 4, when the current continuing resolution expires, unless the Republican majority in the House agrees to permit Planned Parenthood funding in the new continuing resolution that is needed to fund the government after that date. If House Republicans prohibit continued funding of Planned Parenthood after March 4, the Obama administration may not disburse any additional funds to Planned Parenthood after that date.

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Constitution states: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

The version of the continuing resolution that the House passed last week—but the Senate did not take up--included an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence that expressly prohibited any federal funding of Planned Parenthood or its local affiliates.

“None of the funds made available by this Act may be made available for any purpose to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. or any of the … affiliates of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.,” said Pence’s amendment.

The House voted to approve this amendment 240 to 185, with seven Republicans voted against it and 10 Democrats for it.

“I believe that ending an innocent human life is morally wrong,” Pence said on the House floor on Feb. 17 in defense of his amendment.

“But I rise tonight because I also believe it's morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use it to fund organizations that provide and promote abortion--like Planned Parenthood of America,” said Pence.

Planned Parenthood “must be defunded of federal tax dollars and now is the time to do it,” the conservative leaders said in their letter to Speaker Boehner.

“The House vote in support of Rep. Mike Pence’s Amendment 11 to prevent government funding for the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is an excellent start,” the conservatives told the speaker. “However, the House vote on the Pence Amendment is nothing more than symbolic unless it remains intact through the legislative process. Defunding Planned Parenthood must be a non-negotiable in the Continuing Resolution and we urge you to accept nothing less than this outcome.”

Rep. Nita Lowey (D.-N.Y.), speaking on the House floor in opposition to the Pence amendment, accused Republicans of supporting federally funded family planning for horses but not for women.

“[A] Member of the majority--in fact, another gentleman from Indiana--proposed providing birth control to horses,” Lowey said during floor debate on the Pence amendment. “And now we are considering an amendment attacking Planned Parenthood, which has provided health services to one in five American women. So it seems to me that Republicans believe that horses should have family planning, but women should not.”

[IbJensen]

Nita Lowey is a disgraceful misrepresentation of an American woman as are all Democrat and RINO females.

We need to defund organizations that promote lifestyles that are killing our country - it is much bigger than just the abortion abomination. It's never ending with the LEFT - who chant "We're fighting for families," while what they're doing is trying to control lives. More children born out of wedlock doomed to a life with the government as daddy and then destined to repeat it as adults. How about some personal responsibility? Pregnancy is not a disease. Everyone knows what causes it - stop treating immoral behavior as if it's okay. Defund Planned Parenthood NOW.

Obozo isn't concerned about laws ... He does what he wants and it is a good bet that he will continue to fund Planned Parenthood - no matter what congress says ... This creepy muslim is taking over our country and we the sheeple have no apparent recourse.

[Ev Reeman]

If the dems REALLY want to make budget cuts in lieu of shutting the government down, then they must be forced to do so.

Otherwise SHUT IT DOWN AND DO SO WITH PRIDE against these HYPOCRITES AND LIARS!

[wolfpat]

We should be screaming from the rooftops that Planned Parenthood is a RACIST organization.

[Gene Eric]

Defund the kill machine!

[Pontiac]

So it seems to me that Republicans believe that horses should have family planning, but women should not.”

I believe that the birth control for horses would be involuntary for the horses, is this what she has in mind for women?

[hondact200]

the republicans need to be honest in terms of cuts, start with their salaries, benefits and staff. make cuts in those areas first and foremost. In my business as a mental health counselor I had to take a cut in my own wages because the insurance companies lowered the amounts paid out for mental health services. now I am medical leave from my own business from surgery.

before making any cuts, prove your honesty and sincerity cut your own salaries benefits and perks, You state you wish to go back to the budgetary costs in 2008. Obama claims he will go back to the budgets of jimmy carter,preReagan. I do not buy Obama’s delusional views. makes cuts in DC. John Boehner show me your sincerity by cutting lets say 35% of everything in DC.

[joe fonebone]

I do not give a damn if you support abortion or not.....providing abortion is not a function of government...instead of the hysteria surrounding this issue, frame the argument this way instead...

[Ev Reeman]

Federal, state and local debt hits post-WWII levels

By Steven Mufson

After World War II, the nation’s debt levels were astoundingly high, more than the size of the entire economy. Just as now. But back then the debt levels fell quickly. That’s not going to happen this time. Here’s why.

To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/20/AR2011022003201.html?referrer=emailarticle

Would you like to send this article to a friend? Go to
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/emailafriend?contentId=AR2011022003201&sent=no&referrer=emailarticle

[Former Proud Canadian]

You are exactly correct, sir. I fail to find the article in the constitution which allows the federal government to fund any private organization like PP.

[Joe Boucher]

WHY did G.W. Bush NOT defund planed parenthood when he had the presidency and controlled both houses of congress?????

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Let’s hope Boehner, for once, can support a conservative cause without crying and calling Obama a great guy.

[grania]

Let’s hope Boehner, for once, can support a conservative cause without crying and calling Obama a great guy.

And "get it" crystal-clear that this talked about compromise that doesn't defund obamacare violates EVERY PRINCIPLE of those who voted majority power in the HOR to the 'pubs.

Isn't it long past time for a call for a more conservative, less compromising and fiscally responsible 'pub to replace Boehner? He really is not on board, and doesn't even seem to know what most 'pubs want.

[nathanbedford]

In 1995 the conventional wisdom has it that the Republicans lost the public relations war of the government shutdown. Of course, the contemporary historians who came to that judgment were all leftists and Clinton supporters. 16 years later it is very likely that Speaker Boehner will have to come to an ultimate decision, whether to shut down the government or to preside over the splintering of the Republican Party.

The one great advantage that he enjoys is that he can send up a continuing resolution conditioned upon the defunding of an iconic Democrat program which is generally unpopular. If the Republicans can shape the debate so that it appears that the Democrats shut down government only in order to save an abortion profiteer, we can win the debate.

Force the Democrats to choose. If they accept the defunding we will have another opportunity because it should be attached to a continuing resolution of limited time, perhaps 60 days or less. The next continuing resolution should be attached to the defunding of another program, such as cap and trade. But I think the continuing resolution has to be conditioned on only one defunding at a time so as to avoid aligning too many forces against the conditional shut down.

If the rats in the Senate or even the president by veto shuts down the government, we will have a united party standing on a popular issue which the bulk of the country might well accept even in the face of the inevitable media blitz.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Don’t call them, “lifestyles,” but instead call them, “deathstyles.”

[ViLaLuz]

“WHY did G.W. Bush NOT defund planed parenthood when he had the presidency and controlled both houses of congress?????”

I read in several places that pro-abort Laura Bush influenced his decision to stand down.

[IbJensen]

Why did he do nothing about the porous borders and why did he allow his government to open the immigration floodgates to Somalis and other unassimulateable (how’s that for a word?) muslims?

Why did he not pardon, unconditionally, the two border guards who shot the trespassing drug dealer in the ass?

[dajeeps]

If society thinks PP serves a beneficial function, it will live without government funding. If not, it will die and deservedly so. So all those people out there who think abortions should be free to low cost for everyone need to open up their wallets and pay for it themselves with hefty donations.

Defund Planned Parenthood NOW!

[Joe Boucher]

Compassionate conservativism?

[Joe Boucher]

Damn Sarge,
My very high opinion of Mrs. Bush has taken a hit here.

Sooo, how do ya like Texas and what part were you forced to go to?

[Guenevere]

Good question....

...could it be because his wife and mother are pro-choice (a revelation that continues to bite!!)........

To be fair and balanced, there were some small victories in the pro-life arena during his tenure....

..but defunding PP wasn't one of them....

...maybe the time has just come...