WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, by a vote of 241 – 187. This bill would invest $235 million in Federally Qualified Health Centers in support of women’s health care, a policy championed by committee member Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC). The bill would also put a one-year moratorium on funding for Planned Parenthood as Congressional committees continue investigations into its abortion practices and questions raised by a series of “abhorrent” videos. This vote is just one of several steps taken this week to protect infant lives, hold Planned Parenthood accountable, and strengthen women’s health care options.

Several Energy and Commerce Committee members today spoke in support of H.R. 3134.

Full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN):

“The discussion today is not about videos or women’s access to health care. It is about our most basic right – the right to life. It is also about doing what taxpayers sent us to Washington, DC, to do. It is about continuing the process to protect our most vulnerable.”

Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY):

“Life is a precious gift and I firmly believe we should do everything we can to advance and support it.”

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL):

“This is about protecting the rights of taxpayers, but more importantly, protecting the most basic right of human life. I will continue to give a voice to our most fragile Americans who cannot speak for themselves.”

Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN):

“I am probably the only member in this body to have operated on babies as young as 23 weeks gestations. The smallest baby I operated on weighed 650 grams. And as a physician, I spent my career caring for my patients regardless of their situation, so I take access to health care very seriously.”

Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-TN):

“Let me tell you and the American people: Planned Parenthood is not good health care. Federally qualified health centers represent a better alternative to Planned Parenthood. Not only are they more accessible and more transparent but they provide a comprehensive array of preventative health services.”

Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND):

“This Congress and its relevant committees must complete a thorough investigation of the disturbing accusations evidenced, yes evidenced, in the Planned Parenthood videos that we’ve all seen before another taxpayer dollar goes to this controversial organization. These funds can be better used providing legitimate health services for women in places like North Dakota.”

Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA):

“H.R. 3134 delays funds for Planned Parenthood until the investigation is over and redistributing that money to the rural and Federally Qualified Community Health Clinics of which there are over 13,000, compared to only 665 Planned Parenthood clinics, and they actually do women’s health, like mammograms, unlike Planned Parenthood.”

The House today also approved H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act, to impose criminal penalties for any provider who violates the Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002.

The Subcommittee on Health yesterday held a hearing to review two draft bills authored by full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ellmers to strengthen the Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 respectively.

Stay up to speed with the committee’s investigation into Planned Parenthood’s abortion practices online HERE.

 

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