Hartzler Joins Live Action to Call for the End of Taxpayer Funding for Planned Parenthood

Press Release

Twelve members of Congress joined pro-life organization Live Action in front of the Capitol today to call for the end of taxpayer funding of abortion giant Planned Parenthood.

Link to recording of today's news conference: https://www.facebook.com/liveaction/videos/10154946191643728/

Speakers: Live Action President and Founder Lila Rose and Reps. Diane Black (R, TN-6), Ann Wagner (R, MO-2), Trent Franks (R, AZ-8), Steve King (R, IA-4), Jody Hice (R, GA-10), Vicky Hartzler (R, MO-4), Robert Pittenger (R, NC-9), Ralph Abraham (R, LA-5), and House Pro-Life Caucus Chairman Chris Smith (R, NJ-4).

Reps. Steve Pearce (R, NM-2), Jim Banks (R, IN-3), and Doug LaMalfa (R, CA-1) were also present to show their support.

Statements prepared before the news conference:

Lila Rose:

"Congress has woken up to the demand of the American people to end the forced taxpayer funding of America's largest abortion corporation.

"For too long, Planned Parenthood has received hundreds of millions of dollars a year from taxpayers based on a lie that it's the go-to reproductive health care provider for women. The problem is, Live Action's latest investigation shows Planned Parenthood offers virtually no help to women who want to keep their babies. Planned Parenthood centers all over the country are turning away pregnant women seeking critical prenatal care.

"Planned Parenthood is not real health care for women. If we're going to fund women's health care, we need to be funding places that actually provide it -- and places that don't dismember, poison, and starve to death 887 children a day in the process. For every Planned Parenthood, there are 20 local health centers that provide more comprehensive care for women and their children, especially for low-income women. That's where the funding needs to go."

Rep. Vicky Hartzler:

"Our goal is to help women, not harm expectant mothers or their unborn babies. There is an alternative to channeling over $500 million in taxpayer dollars every year to Planned Parenthood, an entity that fails to provide women's healthcare, does not offer vital services such as prenatal care and ultrasounds, and is fraught with allegations of Medicaid fraud. Expectant mothers facing unplanned pregnancy need comprehensive care, the kind provided in Federally Qualified Health Centers, which greatly outnumber Planned Parenthood clinics and which do not provide abortions. There is absolutely no reason Planned Parenthood or any other abortion manufacturer should receive one more dime of taxpayer funding."

Rep. Ann Wagner:

"Fighting for the sanctity of life is my most precious responsibility as a member of Congress. Each year Planned Parenthood commits more than 320,000 abortions -- one every 97 seconds -- and I thank Live Action for their work to highlight the severe physical and emotional consequences of abortion for both the unborn and their mothers. While Congress has made great strides in limiting this horrific practice, I will not stop fighting until abortion is not only illegal, but unthinkable."

Rep. Steve King:

"Every year, Planned Parenthood performs over 30% of all abortions, killing over 320,000 babies, all the while claiming to be a leader in women's healthcare. Thanks to Live Action's relentless efforts and the videos they have produced, we know the truth regarding this organization and the lies they continue to sell to the public. Human life, beginning at the moment of conception, is sacred in all of its forms, and I commend Live Action for fighting for all to have that right."

Rep. Jim Banks:

"I commend Live Action's efforts to expose the misleading and deceptive claims made by Planned Parenthood. I strongly support efforts to fully defund Planned Parenthood and ensure taxpayer dollars are not supporting the inhumane practices of our nation's largest abortion provider. We must stand for the protection of innocent human life and end federal funding for this morally bankrupt organization."