As a nurse, a mother and a Christian, I have always been unapologetically pro-life – but even many of those with differing views on this subject will agree that the federal government has no business subsidizing abortion providers and advocacy groups. That is why I’m so outraged by a new government study showing that Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the nation, spent about $1.5 billion in combined state and federal funding in a three year window.This eye-opening report, which you can read in its entirety here, holds information that the powerful pro-abortion lobby and their allies in Washington never wanted you and me to see. In fact, the only reason the report exists is because my colleagues and I specifically demanded it. I led more than 60 pro-life Congressmen and Senators in calling for this government study back in February 2013 and the findings were not made public until this week.
The misuse of taxpayer dollars uncovered in this report doesn’t end with Planned Parenthood. Millions of dollars were also given to pro-abortion groups like the misnamed “Advocates for Youth” – which recently ran a Valentine’s Day campaign urging its followers to “Declare Your Love for Safe Abortion Care.” Similarly, the report uncovered $4 million in federal funding for the pro-abortion group Guttmacher Institute, which has railed against commonsense abortion requirements such as mandatory waiting periods and informed consent laws.
Bottom line – This report confirms what we suspected all along: hard-earned taxpayer dollars continue to be used to promote abortions. This is shameful and we have a responsibility to stop it. That is why the very first bill I introduced as a Member of Congress would have defunded Planned Parenthood in a government spending bill. This year, I have continued that fight as the author of the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act –legislation to help cut off federal funding of any “health care” provider that profits off the destruction of unborn life.
I’m grateful that this bill is supported by conservative leaders like the Family Research Council and 145 Members of the House of Representatives. Now that we have concrete proof that our tax dollars continue to supplant abortions, Congress should pass my bill without delay so that we can end this egregious misuse of taxpayer dollars once and for all.
