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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, the Senate failed to pass a procedural vote to move to the Continuing Resolution that includes a moratorium of funding for Planned Parenthood.
Congressional investigations have been convened to consider allegations of Planned Parenthood's scavenging and sale of babies' body parts. This measure would place a moratorium on federal funding of PPFA for one year, while reallocating $235 million for women's health to Federally Qualified Health Centers. These centers provide more comprehensive care than does PPFA, and outnumber Planned Parenthood clinics by a ratio of 20:1.
Family Research Council's President Tony Perkins made the following statement about this vote:
“It is stunning, and, frankly, inexcusable that the United States Senate could not agree on a motion to proceed to a short-term spending bill that also redirects tax dollars from Planned Parenthood to Federally Qualified Health Centers. Although America has been sickened by allegations of criminal activity with Planned Parenthood’s abortion practices, a majority of Senators blocked the ability to even debate the Continuing Resolution.
“Senate Leadership responded to our urging them to attach a moratorium on funding to must-pass legislation, but Senators chose to prioritize abortion giant Planned Parenthood rather than the lives of unborn children. As Leader McConnell had said, this Continuing Resolution would have kept the government open and running while also protecting women’s health by reallocating funds to more comprehensive health centers. Shame on the Senate for not approving this solution.
“We will not stop fighting for the protection of taxpayers, who do not want their hard-earned tax dollars given to an organization steeped in scandal and under investigation for serious criminal offenses including possible violations of the federal ban on partial-birth abortion and the killing of babies born alive," concluded Perkins.
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