The battle over taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood in the 2011 budget carried ripple effects into this week. National media investigated the damage done to Planned Parenthood’s image as a mainstream health care provider and deserving recipient of federal dollars. SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser discussed Planned Parenthood’s extreme views with CNS News, saying: “They’ve lobbied for changes in the statutory rape laws. They’ve lobbied against parental notification for minors. They’ve worked very hard to close down crisis pregnancy centers that help young women bring their children to term.”
The next day, she noted in the Washington Post that the inconvenient truths exposed about the organization were having a lasting impact, “In the past, it was very difficult to overcome their PR operation. But given the enormous problems that were exposed in their corporate model, that really stirred up a lot of concern about what’s going on in these clinics.” The article also acknowledged facts revealing the abortion-centeredness of Planned Parenthood’s operations that had been previously overlooked by the mainstream media.
On Wednesday, SBA List called out Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) whose introduction of a bill seeking to keep money from paying for abortion revealed big discrepancies in their positions on taxpayer funding for abortion given their recent vote to continue taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. The Hill quoted Marjorie saying, “They voted to immediately send tens of millions in taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood and then sought to implement safeguards to ensure that the money isn’t being spent on abortion. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” The criticism followed last week’s announcement that SBA List will begin targeting vulnerable Senators up for re-election who betrayed life with their votes to continue taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
CBN News: Obama’s Private Remarks Show Fiery Abortion Debate
By: Paul Strand Date: April 17, 2011
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2011/April/Senate-Defeats-Measure-to-Defund-P-Parenthood/
Syracuse.com: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle takes break from local fundraising; accepts money from special interests
By: Mark Weiner Date: April 17, 2011
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/rep_ann_marie_buerkle_takes_br.html
Gainesville Times: Thomas: GOP should push effort to defund Planned Parenthood
By: Trevor Thomas Date: April 18, 2011
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/24/article/49153/
Washington Post: In Montana and elsewhere, Planned Parenthood serves broad function
By: Sandhya Somashekhar Date: April 18, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-montana-and-elsewhere-planned-parenthood-serves-broad-function/2011/04/13/AFZpml1D_story.html
The Hill: Dem senators accused of wanting it both ways on Planned Parenthood
By: Julian Pecquet Date: April 20, 2011
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/abortion/156975-dem-senators-accused-of-wanting-it-both-ways-on-planned-parenthood
LifeNews.com: Democrats Manchin, Nelson Duplicitous on Planned Parenthood
By: Steven Ertelt Date: April 20, 2011
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/20/democrats-manchin-nelson-duplicitous-on-planned-parenthood/
American Independent: TIME marks Planned Parenthood president one of world’s most influential people in 2011
By: Sofia Resnick Date: April 22, 2011
http://www.americanindependent.com/180573/time-marks-planned-parenthood-president-one-of-worlds-most-influential-people-in-2011
