Free Republic

Newly empowered Republicans in states across the country are pushing to kill public contracts with Planned Parenthood, only to find their efforts blocked by the Obama administration and federal courts. In New Hampshire, the administration circumvented officials by awarding a $1 million grant directly to the nation’s largest provider of abortion services after state officials blocked a grant to the organization. Every federal district court that has ruled so far has sided with Planned Parenthood. That has helped the administration, which has threatened to cut off states’ Medicaid funding if they refuse to work with the organization. The clashes have...

Just yesterday I posted that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott Abbott was Appealing an Austin Judge's Ruling to Block Planned Parenthood Tax Funding Ban. This meant that Texas would be forced to give tax money to baby killers, or shut down the Women's Health Program entirely. GREG ABBOTT WON! Gregg Abbott worked fast and within 24 hours, he got the 5th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals to overturn this Austin Judges decision to block the ban. This means that Texas can keep withholding tax money from baby killer abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. Here is more from One News Now:...

The pressure on the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation to reverse its decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings for poor people — a decision which has caused an uproar among women’s groups and on social media — is about to get significantly more intense. Nearly two dozen Senators are set to enter the fray. I’m told that 22 Dem Senators have signed on to a toughly worded letter urging Komen to reverse its decision, which Komen has justified by citing a new rule prohibiting it from funding any group under investigation by the...

How charming. Democrats are attacking the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation because it has declined to give yet another grant to Planned Parenthood. Note that Planned Parenthood itself doesn't even do breast screenings . . . by its own admission, it only "connects" women to entities that do provide cancer screenings and mammograms.  How can one argue that Komen has done something wrong by concluding that its money wasn't best spent handing grants to the nation's best-known abortion provider -- one that provides no direct services pertaining to breast health? And that isn't even the stated basis for the foundation's decision....

Planned Parenthood is closing six clinics in outstate Minnesota on Aug. 1 because of federal budget cuts made this spring in a highly politicized abortion battle. The state's largest provider of family planning and abortions announced the closures Monday, citing an 11 percent reduction in its budget because of cuts to the federal Title X program. Closing are clinics in Thief River Falls, Brainerd, Red Wing, Owatonna, Albert Lea and Fairmont. They did not perform abortions, but provided services ranging from contraception to cervical cancer screenings to testing for sexually-transmitted diseases. Clients will be encouraged to use any of the...

Judge Doesn't Block Indiana Law De-funding Planned Parenthood Indianapolis, IN -- A federal judge has declined a request by the Planned Parenthood abortion business to issue a temporary restraining order blocking a new state law Governor Mitch Daniels signed that yanks its taxpayer funding. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/05/11/judge-doesnt-block-new-law-de-funding-planned-parenthood/

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana won a key victory in its fight to cut off public funding for Planned Parenthood Wednesday when a federal judge refused to block a tough new abortion law from taking effect, a move that could boost Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' image among social conservatives as he considers running for president. U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt denied Planned Parenthood of Indiana's request for a temporary restraining order despite arguments that the law jeopardizes health care for thousands of women.

Bob Casey Will Vote Against De-Funding Planned Parenthood Washington, DC -- The office of Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who claims to be a pro-life Democrat, has confirmed he will not vote for an amendment to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/12/bob-casey-will-vote-against-de-funding-planned-parenthood/

This Democratic Senate and White House are clearly willing to disappoint their base on many issues. They've agreed to spending cuts and tax cuts for the wealthy, scrapped a public option, and continued warrantless wiretaps, indefinite detention of terrorism suspects and unnecessary wars on Arab dictators. But in last week's budget debate we glimpsed the party's unshakable core: dedication to the abortion lobby. President Obama had promised to veto the House-passed bill funding government through the end of the fiscal year, and Majority Leader Harry Reid made it clear the Senate would never pass it. But the final agreement --...

Democratic Female Senators Irate Over GOP Plan To Defund Planned Parenthood Sean Lengell April 8, 2011 Nine Democratic female senators held a news conference Friday to slam Republicans for their insistence that funding for Planned Parenthood be stripped from a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running. "These cuts are biased, politically motivated, they hurt women, and we the women in the Senate will not let it happen," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat. "What's at stake isn't the amount of cuts, it's the ability of American women — poor American women — to get health care service." Added...

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed yesterday that the provision to defund Planned Parenthood that passed the House earlier this year is “never, never, never going to pass the Senate.” Schumer made the remarks Thursday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., at a “Stand Up for Women’s Health” rally sponsored by the National Organization for Women, NARAL and Planned Parenthood.

"As the clock ticked down toward a federal government shutdown, signs surfaced on Friday that a deal would be struck before the midnight deadline. One telling indication was the fact that Democrats, out there aggressively defending funding for community health clinics and Title X funding, were met by mostly Republican silence. They appeared ready to back an agreement that didn't include the controversial rider concerning funding for Planned Parenthood. This might well be the face-saving concession Democrats win from Republicans as they acquiesce to $38 billion in cuts from the fiscal 2011 budget."Both Ace of Spades and hot air are...

Kathleen Sebelius: GOP actions could increase abortions By: Kate Nocera April 8, 2011 11:58 AM EDT HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius had some strong words for House Republicans as Democrats said the continuing budget negotiations were held up over Title X and Planned Parenthood funding. “I think it’s really unfortunate Congress can’t come to a resolution on this year’s budget ... cutting [Title X] funding would increase the number of unintended pregnancies and increase the number of abortions, so the people who say they’re having this battle about abortion are actually not looking at what the statistics have indicated,” Sebelius told...

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/chris-matthews-panel-gop-wants-to-defund-planned-parenthood-to-blame-gov-shutdown-on-radical-feminists-who-want-to-give-woman-abortions/ Chris Matthews Panel: GOP Wants to Defund Planned Parenthood to Blame Gov Shutdown on Radical Feminists Who Want to Give Woman Abortions

Likely GOP Presidential Candidates Want Planned Parenthood De-Funded Washington, DC -- This week, the Susan B. Anthony List contacted Republican presidential hopefuls to ask them where they stand on defunding Planned Parenthood. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/04/likely-gop-presidential-candidates-want-planned-parenthood-de-funded/

As the CR vote comes to a climax again next week, I wanted to share an incredible story with the LifeNews blog readers.  We’ve seen the Live Action undercover videos of Planned Parenthood’s protection of racists, rapists and sex traffickers but their movies come to life when SFLA directly works with Planned Parenthood’s victims.Melissa Pereira, a pro-life student leader at Caldwell College in New Jersey, sent me her story last week after winning the “Tell Congress” video contest and her interview with the National Pro-Life Youth Podcast. It is so powerful, I want to share it with you. As...

In the wake of undercover evidence revealing Planned Parenthood’s abusive and illegal activity, the America’s biggest abortion business unrolled a massive PR campaign to defend its $363-million-a-year taxpayer subsidies. The campaign included TV, print, radio and online ad buys, a big pink bus rolling across the country, and numerous appearances and opinion pieces by Planned Parenthood spokespersons and supporters (including this gem by PP vice-president of communications Stuart Schear. Planned Parenthood has been insisting that they provide invaluable health services to “millions” of America women. (Video at link) Just a few weeks ago, on national television, Planned Parenthood President Cecile...

Sen. Scott Brown, R-MA, is one of the only Senate Republicans who favor legal abortion. So today’s news that he will vote to keep tax money for Planned Parenthood is not shocking, but it is still disappointing. Catholics, especially in Massachusetts, can let their voices be heard by calling Senator Brown’s office at (202) 224-4543. Here’s the statement that Senator Brown issued today: “I support family planning and health services for women. Given our severe budget problems, I don’t believe any area of the budget is completely immune from cuts,” he said. “However, the proposal to eliminate all funding for...

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) (at podium) joined other House Democrats for a press conference on Wednesday to express their opposition to two Republican-sponsored bills that would prohibit federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. (CNSNews.com/Penny Starr) (CNSNews.com) – A group of House Democrats -- asked directly if they support the use of federal (taxpayer) funds to pay for abortion -- said yes, they do.At press conference on Wednesday, the Democrats also voiced their opposition to two Republican-sponsored bills that would prohibit federal funding of abortion.CNSNews.com asked if any of the House members at the press conference supported the use of federal...

House Approves Bill Repealing Abortion-Funding Obamacare Washington, DC -- The House of Representatives today fulfilled its election mandate to repeal the bill that cause Republicans to sweep into office and install a new pro-life majority. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/01/19/house-approves-bill-repealing-abortion-funding-obamacare/

Judge Rules ObamaCare Constitutional Despite Abortion Funding Richmond, VA -- A federal judge in Virginia has issued a preliminary ruling in one of several lawsuits filed against ObamaCare, which pro-life groups opposed because it contained no provisions fully eliminating abortion funding. The case, filed by Liberty University, a Christian college, is different from the main lawsuits state attorney general filed against the health care takeover law because it centers on the question of forcing taxpayers to fund abortions. http://LifeNews.com/nat-6901

Judge Rules ObamaCare Constitutional Despite Abortion Funding Richmond, VA -- A federal judge in Virginia has issued a preliminary ruling in one of several lawsuits filed against ObamaCare, which pro-life groups opposed because it contained no provisions fully eliminating abortion funding. The case, filed by Liberty University, a Christian college, is different from the main lawsuits state attorney general filed against the health care takeover law because it centers on the question of forcing taxpayers to fund abortions. http://LifeNews.com/nat-6901

Trenton, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- After the New Jersey state Senate defeated an attempt to override the decision of Gov. Chris Christie to cut off state taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood abortion businesses, the first facility run by the national abortion giant is closing.The Cherry Hill Courier Post newspaper says a Planned Parenthood facility located on Haddonfield Road and operated by Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey will close down.PP-SNJ stands to lose as much as $160,000 in taxpayer funds because of Christie's decision and the upholding of his veto. With the closing of the Cherry Hill center, Planned Parenthood customers...

Thank you for defending women's health! Dear xxxx, As we told you last week, the two remaining anti-choice budget amendments were stripped from HB30. While the budget conference committee meets behind closed doors, we know that several of our legislative champions fought hard for Planned Parenthood. Both Gov. McDonnell and A.G. Cuccinelli have vowed to do everything in their power to strip Planned Parenthood of state funding, so this victory is particularly important! TAKE ACTION: Please thank these legislators now! OR call them to say thank you: Senator Janet Howell (D-32): (703) 709-8283 Senator Edward Houck (D-17): (540) 786-2782 Senator...

Friday March 12, 2010 Slaughter House Surprise: Simply 'Deem' Health Bill Passed after Voting on Fix Bill By Kathleen GilbertWASHINGTON, DC, March 11, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Democrats struggling to find enough votes to pass the Senate bill in the House of Representatives could bypass the problem by simply "deeming" the health bill passed after voting for a separate compromise measure, rather than actually voting on it, according to House Rules Committee chair Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY).Congress Daily reported Wednesday that Rep. Slaughter is considering preparing a rule that would deem the abortion-expanding Senate health care bill passed once the...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A collection of pro-abortion religious groups authored a letter today to members of the Senate that essentially places them on record supporting taxpayer funding of abortions. The letter expresses their opposition to the Nelson amendment, released today, to remove abortion funding from the Senate government-run health care bill. The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church are the four mainline protestant denominations to sign the letter asking lawmakers to oppose the Nelson amendment.They are joined by the Disciples Justice Action Center, NA'AMAT USA, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, a...

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.orgWASHINGTON, Dec. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- The lobbying offices of the mainline churches have joined with abortion rights advocacy groups in opposing the Stupak-Pitts restriction against government health insurance funded abortions. Unlike the evangelical left, which has sought to consolidate liberal evangelical support behind Obamacare by promising protections against government funded abortion, the old religious left is urging constituents to tell the U.S. Senate to drop the abortion restriction. "It is now up to the Senate to keep health care reform free of religious doctrine and restrictions that will...

On Saturday night the Democrats narrowly passed a monstrosity of a health-care bill. Some conservatives blamed the National Right to Life Committee. How is that possible? In order to get enough votes to secure final passage, Nancy Pelosi allowed an up-or-down vote on the Stupak amendment to bar federal funding of abortion through the health-care bill. Rep. John Shadegg (R, Ariz.), who made a bid this year to be Republican minority leader, and Americans for Prosperity urged Republicans to defeat the pro-life measure by voting present. They argued that defeating the amendment could bring down the entire bill: “(Nancy) Pelosi...

Obama Officially Endorses Abortion-Funding Health Care Bill Washington, DC -- With a new statement released today from the White House, President Barack Obama finally officially put his imprimatur on the House health care bill that contains massive abortion funding. Obama has previously been criticized for saying he wanted no abortion funding but lobbying for the bill. http://www.lifenews.com/nat5626.html

Many Democrats are concerned about the language in the $1.2 trillion health care presented by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that allows for a loophole – there’s that word again – to indirectly fund abortion. Some call it an accounting gimmick, but this is a very clear example of a symptom of the disease. More from today’s Washington Post.

On Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell appeared on the Laura Ingraham Radio Show and, to the delight of many pro-lifers, took a definitive stand on banning taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. For many, such as Virginians For Life, such a public stand from McDonnell was essential and urged him for some time to make a public pledge. Remember

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) / President Barack Obama Washington D.C., Oct 27, 2009 / 02:17 pm (CNA).- Pro-life Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) has called on President Obama to back up his stated support for the exclusion of abortion funding from health care legislation. Recounting how congressional leaders are opposing funding restrictions, Stupak warned that action is needed as “crunch time” arrives.Rep. Stupak, who is advocating the inclusion of a Hyde Amendment provision that would bar federal abortion funding from proposed health care reform, spoke about his health care conversation with President Obama in an interview with CNSNews.com.On Sept....

The debate over health-care reform is now entering a new phase. This week, the Senate Finance Committee voted for Sen. Max Baucus's health-care bill, which sets up a possible Senate vote on the legislation later this month. Aggressive negotiations are underway on how to handle abortion funding. Democratic leaders claim that all they want is to maintain the "status quo" on abortion. In reality, maintaining what we have now isn't even on the table. To do that, a health-care bill would have to explicitly prevent federal dollars from being used for elective abortions. Provisions that would have done that were...

Pelosi Dodges Question of Whether Government Health-Care Plan Will Fund Abortion Wednesday, July 29, 2009 By CNSNews.com Staff Writer (CNSNews.com) – While many pro-life Democrats in the House of Representatives say they will not vote for a health care reform bill unless it explicitly prohibits federal funding for abortion through insurance plans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has declined to state whether the final legislation should address the issue. On the July 26 edition of CNN’s State of the Union, for example, host John King asked Pelosi: “If this bill passes and there’s a public option, should that public option...

A bill under the guise of reducing abortion could actually do the opposite. LifeNews.com reports Congressmen Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), a former pro-lifer who abandoned his views and was subsequently kicked off the board of Democrats for Life of America, and Representative Rose DeLauro (D-Connecticut), a former staff of NARAL, have introduced a bill being touted as pro-life legislation but is being called a "bailout for the abortion industry." According to Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee, the $647-million "Reducing the Need for Abortions Initiative" does not live up to its name. "It’s authored by a former leader...

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After unexpectedly passing the House Rules committee late yesterday, an amendment introduced by Rep. Mike Pence to strip Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer funding under Health and Human Services "family planning" (or Title X) funds, has failed. 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....

The Standard counts no fewer than 53 Dems on record as having problems with the House bill, but so lopsided is the blue majority that the GOP would need to peel off 40 of them to block it. That’s not going to happen on Obama’s signature policy initiative. Assuming their objections are economic in nature, Pelosi will simply shower the fencesitters with legislative goodies until enough of them are willing to choke down ObamaCare. But what if their objections are based on something more profound than economics? Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak said he is “optimistic” that his campaign to include...

Washington D.C., Jul 22, 2009 / 07:05 pm (CNA).- As debate continues about de facto federal funding for abortion in proposed health care legislation, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) has filed an amendment which would deny federal funding to Planned Parenthood through Title X Family Planning.

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...

Call Congress to Stop Funding Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz Washington, DC -- 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. Story and action alert at: http://www.LifeNews.com/nat5237.html

Democrats Manipulate Vote, Prevent Stopping Tax-Funded Abortions in DC Washington, DC -- Members of the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives manipulated a vote on Thursday. The end result is the prevention of a vote on an amendment that would stop forcing taxpayers from having to pay for abortions in the nation's capital. See http://www.LifeNews.com/nat5233.html for full story and action alert.

If passed, two healthcare reform bills could mean more abortions at taxpayers' expense. The two primary measures -- the Kennedy bill and the House Democratic leadership bill -- contain provisions that would represent the greatest expansion of abortion since the Supreme Court legalized it in 1973, according to Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee. "These two bills contain multiple provisions that would result in federally mandated insurance coverage of abortion on demand, result in massive federal subsidies for abortion, result even in mandated creation of many new abortion clinics across the country," he explains.

Rep. Chris Smith speaking Tuesday afternoon Washington D.C., Jul 14, 2009 / 05:55 pm (CNA).- As Congress prepares to consider President Obama's health care reform this week, the legislation is drawing opposition from both sides of the aisle. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, ten lawmakers warned that the current draft of the health care bill will force taxpayers, businesses and insurance providers to pay for abortions. Reaction from Democrats first became public when a group of 19 congressmen, some of them "Blue Dog Democrats," sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the end of June....

Tennessee Planned Parenthood loses government funding for abortions Bob Diamond July 5, 7:05 PM .iconpanel a { text-decoration:none; color:#006699}; .iconpanel a:hover { text-decoration:none; color:#006699} .emailshowing { display:none}                There was a one-sided vote in both the Tennessee house and senate that removed Planned Parenthood’s decades long stranglehold on family planning funds in the Volunteer State.  Susan Allen of Tennessee Right to Life is thankful that Planned Parenthood will no longer receive the annual automatic nod from the state.  She commented that, "For approximately 40 years, Planned Parenthood was given preferential treatment in the Tennessee state law for getting family...

WHILE Roe v. Wade ensures legal abortion in every state, the reality of abortion access today increasingly depends upon a woman's socioeconomic status and geographic location. The average cost of an abortion for a woman up to 12 weeks pregnant is $450 to $600 in the Northwest region, and costs increase markedly after 12 weeks. The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, ended the use of federal Medicaid funding for abortion, except when the woman's life would be endangered by a full-term pregnancy, or in cases of rape or incest. As the debate about the direction of health-care reform takes off,...

Friday June 26, 2009 Editorial: Archbishop Weisgerber is Wrong - Vatican Stopped its Donation to UNICEF in 1996 Editorial by John-Henry WestenOTTAWA, June 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Seeking to justify the giving of Catholic monies to groups that do not follow church teaching on abortion and contraception, Archbishop James Weisgerber recently used as an example the Vatican's yearly contribution to UNICEF.  Ironically, however, the Winnipeg archbishop, who is currently the head of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), only managed to disprove his own point, since the Vatican actually halted its yearly donation to UNICEF in 1996, precisely because the organization was...

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a controversial bill that pro-life groups say would promote abortion around the world on the taxpayer's dime. Congressional representatives voted 235-187 to approve H.R. 2410 on Wednesday, with 11 members abstaining. The bill, known as the "Foreign Relations Authorization Act," would create a new Office for Global Women's Issues that would "coordinate efforts of the United States Government regarding gender integration and women’s empowerment in United States foreign policy." Concerned Women for America’s Legislative Action Committee called the legislation the "Ambassador for Abortion" bill because it would designate "ambassadors" to implement "women's empowerment"...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life organization that monitors corporations that donate money to Planned Parenthood has released a new list of companies that give money to the nation's largest abortion business. New corporations on the boycott list include jeweler Tiffany & Company and Blackjack Pizza restaurants. Life Decisions International has been monitoring companies for over 15 years and says that at least 137 corporations have stopped funding Planned Parenthood as a result of the pro-life boycotts. That's cost Planned Parenthood an estimated $35 million. "This should be a testament to those who believe it is impossible to change corporate...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The criticism of children's author Judy Blume has reached such a fever pitch so quickly after an expose' article from Lifenews.com that Planned Parenthood is begging for help. Blume wrote a mother's day fundraising letter for the abortion business that has pro-life advocates aghast.Blume plugged the pro-abortion group in an attempt to raise money near Mother's Day and her missive ironically suggested that abortion advocates celebrate mothers by donating to Planned Parenthood.LifeNews.com received an email blast this afternoon from Planned Parenthood to its supporters titled "Please help" and begging for assistance in responding to the...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Famous children's author Judy Blume is no stranger to controversy, but she's added to herself to a list of people who will be remember for something more devastating. Blume has lent her name the solicitation of donations for Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business.In a new missive ironically celebrating mothers day, Blume suggests sending a donation to the pro-abortion group to honor mothers."Say thanks this Mother's Day with a gift that honors her courage by making a donation to Planned Parenthood in her name. I guarantee you that she'll be pleased. I know I would...