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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...