Pence Amendment to get a vote today

I've been critical of the Republicans (including my Republican Congressional opponent in 2006 and 2008) for tolerating taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, even when they controlled Congress and the Presidency.

After they lost Congress in 2006, Rep. Mike Pence brought forward an amendment to end the taxpayer funding to the largest abortion provider. Why didn't it get done earlier-- while they were in control? I don't know. The potential answers range from ignorance to lack of passion about the issue to some remarkably cynical options.

I have no idea about the probability of its success in a Democratic Congress. (It did not pass last year!) But I'll certainly be praying!

Here's an op-ed by Pence-- and here's the press release from the American Life League. The press release does not specify what the amendment amends, but Pence makes clear that it is the annual HHS budget bill.

Washington, DC (24 July 2009) – In a Thursday surprise, an amendment to strip hundreds of millions of dollars from the nation's largest abortion business is set for a Friday vote on the House floor.

The Pence Amendment to defund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion chain, of Title X funding in the Labor/Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill passed successfully through the House Rules Committee late Thursday.

"In a time of economic crisis it makes no sense for the federal goverment to spend millions of dollars killing millions of future taxpayers," said Shaun Kenney, executive director of American Life League. "Why are the American people forced to fund this vile organization? It's time our legislators represent the will of the people against Planned Parenthood's powerful Washington lobby."

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) introduced the Amendment Tuesday which states:

“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.”

American Life League motivated supporters around the country in the past week to support the measure. ALL's STOP Planned Parenthood project is the nation's largest watchdog organization dedicated to eradicating Planned Parenthood in the United States.

“Millions of tax dollars are wasted each year fueling an organization that promotes eugenics and protects sexual predators under the guise of ‘family planning’” said Rita Diller, national director of American Life League’s STOP Planned Parenthood project.

Kenney agrees:

"Planned Parenthood is leeching off our impoverished economy while raking in money hand over first," Kenney said. "Any legislator who votes to fund Planned Parenthood is putting the lives of men, women and children at risk."

American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to natural death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.