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Planned Parenthood: Rand Paul resists call for shutdown in defunding fight Planned Parenthood: Rand Paul resists call for shutdown in defunding fight
(about 1 hour later)
As a Monday Senate vote on withdrawing federal funding from Planned Parenthood approached, one of the bill’s 24 Republican sponsors said he did not support a potential government shutdown over the issue.
One of 24 Republican sponsors of a bill to withdraw federal funding from Planned Parenthood said he did not support a potential government shutdown over the issue, ahead of a vote scheduled for Monday.
Related: Republicans use Planned Parenthood videos to launch latest abortion attackRelated: Republicans use Planned Parenthood videos to launch latest abortion attack
Appearing on CNN on Sunday, the Kentucky senator Rand Paul, a candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, said: “I support any legislation that will defund Planned Parenthood. But I don’t think you start out with your objective to shut down the government.” Appearing on CNN on Sunday, the Kentucky senator and candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, said: “I support any legislation that will defund Planned Parenthood. But I don’t think you start out with your objective to shut down the government.”
Another sponsor (and 2016 hopeful), Texas senator Ted Cruz – a driving force behind the shutdown of October 2013, over the Affordable Care Act – floated the possibility of another shutdown last week. Another sponsor and 2016 hopeful, Texas senator Ted Cruz – a driving force behind the shutdown of October 2013, over the Affordable Care Act – floated the possibility of another shutdown last week.
Most Republicans are wary of the political cost of such a course. Paul, however, echoed some voices on the right when he suggested that if the federal budget was not approved because of a political issue such as abortion, the fault would lie with the White House.Most Republicans are wary of the political cost of such a course. Paul, however, echoed some voices on the right when he suggested that if the federal budget was not approved because of a political issue such as abortion, the fault would lie with the White House.
“If President Obama wants to shut down the government because he doesn’t get funds for Planned Parenthood,” he said, “that would be President Obama’s determination to shut down the government.”“If President Obama wants to shut down the government because he doesn’t get funds for Planned Parenthood,” he said, “that would be President Obama’s determination to shut down the government.”
Planned Parenthood, which in its most recent annual report said it performed 328,000 of around 1 million abortions carried out in the US each year, has been at the centre of a political storm over the release of “undercover” videos in which officials appear to discuss the sale of body parts from aborted foetuses.Planned Parenthood, which in its most recent annual report said it performed 328,000 of around 1 million abortions carried out in the US each year, has been at the centre of a political storm over the release of “undercover” videos in which officials appear to discuss the sale of body parts from aborted foetuses.
Planned Parenthood has apologised for comments made by employees in the video but says it has broken no laws. It accuses opponents of using selective editing for an assault on women’s health choices.Planned Parenthood has apologised for comments made by employees in the video but says it has broken no laws. It accuses opponents of using selective editing for an assault on women’s health choices.
Last week, the organisation said it had notified the FBI and the Department of Justice that hackers were attempting to access employee data. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, meanwhile, wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post in which she called the attacks “a new low” and their creators “extremists”.Last week, the organisation said it had notified the FBI and the Department of Justice that hackers were attempting to access employee data. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, meanwhile, wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post in which she called the attacks “a new low” and their creators “extremists”.
The 24 Republican senators unveiled their legislation last Wednesday, before the release of a fourth such video by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group lauded by conservatives. The bill is expected to be blocked by Democrats or vetoed by Obama should it reach his desk, a prospect which prompted Cruz’s suggestion of a shutdown as a means of forcing the issue.The 24 Republican senators unveiled their legislation last Wednesday, before the release of a fourth such video by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group lauded by conservatives. The bill is expected to be blocked by Democrats or vetoed by Obama should it reach his desk, a prospect which prompted Cruz’s suggestion of a shutdown as a means of forcing the issue.
Democrats including presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton have stuck to their supportive stance regarding Planned Parenthood. But as the first Republican debate approaches, the videos have stirred passions among the 17 candidates for the GOP nomination.Democrats including presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton have stuck to their supportive stance regarding Planned Parenthood. But as the first Republican debate approaches, the videos have stirred passions among the 17 candidates for the GOP nomination.
Referring to media controversy over the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe by a dentist from Minnesota, the Florida senator Marco Rubio tweeted: “Look at all this outrage over a dead lion, but where is all the outrage over the planned parenthood dead babies.”Referring to media controversy over the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe by a dentist from Minnesota, the Florida senator Marco Rubio tweeted: “Look at all this outrage over a dead lion, but where is all the outrage over the planned parenthood dead babies.”
The former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee did not rule out using federal troops and law enforcement to stop abortions taking place anywhere. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee did not rule out using federal troops and law enforcement to stop abortions taking place anywhere.
Paul, who in April said it “sounded like” Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schulz was “OK with killing a 7lb baby”, released an ad which said Planned Parenthood received “over a half a million tax dollars every year” for performing “abortions and sell[ing] baby body parts”.Paul, who in April said it “sounded like” Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schulz was “OK with killing a 7lb baby”, released an ad which said Planned Parenthood received “over a half a million tax dollars every year” for performing “abortions and sell[ing] baby body parts”.
The ad also described the candidate as a “pro-life doctor” and pictured him posing in a white doctor’s coat labelled “Rand Paul MD”. Paul is a qualified ophthalmologist.The ad also described the candidate as a “pro-life doctor” and pictured him posing in a white doctor’s coat labelled “Rand Paul MD”. Paul is a qualified ophthalmologist.
On his Facebook page, Paul announced a “Defund Planned Parenthood Money Bomb”, seeking donations of “$20.16 or more” to “help me turn up the heat on my allies in Congress” and “give us the best chance to pass my bill to finally strip Planned Parenthood of every dime of our tax dollars before the August recess”.On his Facebook page, Paul announced a “Defund Planned Parenthood Money Bomb”, seeking donations of “$20.16 or more” to “help me turn up the heat on my allies in Congress” and “give us the best chance to pass my bill to finally strip Planned Parenthood of every dime of our tax dollars before the August recess”.
On Sunday, on CNN, he took a slightly more conciliatory line.On Sunday, on CNN, he took a slightly more conciliatory line.
“I think we can have disputes, you know, over abortion,” he said. “Our country is divided. Some people are pro-choice. Some are pro-life. But I think a lot of people, even a lot of pro-choice people, are upset by these videos.“I think we can have disputes, you know, over abortion,” he said. “Our country is divided. Some people are pro-choice. Some are pro-life. But I think a lot of people, even a lot of pro-choice people, are upset by these videos.
“They, you know, [are] manipulating the baby, turning the baby around to get the body parts and then selling the liver and the doctors [are] cavalierly saying: ‘Oh, well, yes, liver is popular right now for sale.’“They, you know, [are] manipulating the baby, turning the baby around to get the body parts and then selling the liver and the doctors [are] cavalierly saying: ‘Oh, well, yes, liver is popular right now for sale.’
“I think most Americans don’t want their tax dollars going to this. So I think when something is so morally repugnant to so many people, why should tax dollars go to this?”“I think most Americans don’t want their tax dollars going to this. So I think when something is so morally repugnant to so many people, why should tax dollars go to this?”
I think a lot of people, even a lot of pro-choice people, are upset by these videosI think a lot of people, even a lot of pro-choice people, are upset by these videos
The legislation up for a vote on Monday would bar federal aid to Planned Parenthood and shift the money to other healthcare providers.The legislation up for a vote on Monday would bar federal aid to Planned Parenthood and shift the money to other healthcare providers.
Introducing the bill on Wednesday, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said: “This bill will ensure that taxpayer dollars that are supposed to be spent on women’s health are, in fact, spent on women’s health.”Introducing the bill on Wednesday, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said: “This bill will ensure that taxpayer dollars that are supposed to be spent on women’s health are, in fact, spent on women’s health.”
Planned Parenthood, which points out that abortions represent only a fraction of the healthcare services it provides to women nationwide, says that of $1.3bn in revenue last year, $528m came from taxpayers, including state funds that help finance Medicaid.Planned Parenthood, which points out that abortions represent only a fraction of the healthcare services it provides to women nationwide, says that of $1.3bn in revenue last year, $528m came from taxpayers, including state funds that help finance Medicaid.
The organisation’s defenders say cutting federal aid would not affect abortions, because such money cannot be used for such procedures except in cases of rape or incest or when a woman’s life is in danger.The organisation’s defenders say cutting federal aid would not affect abortions, because such money cannot be used for such procedures except in cases of rape or incest or when a woman’s life is in danger.
Related: Planned Parenthood funding battle escalates as fourth 'sting' video releasedRelated: Planned Parenthood funding battle escalates as fourth 'sting' video released
Republicans say nearly 9,100 federally funded community health centres – more than 10 times the number of Planned Parenthood locations – could pick up the slack.Republicans say nearly 9,100 federally funded community health centres – more than 10 times the number of Planned Parenthood locations – could pick up the slack.
Planned Parenthood says its sites serve disproportionate numbers of low-income women and are often situated where no alternatives exist.Planned Parenthood says its sites serve disproportionate numbers of low-income women and are often situated where no alternatives exist.
Paul said he supported “some funding for community health centres” because “there are people who do need help”. “But really,” he said, “Planned Parenthood is sort of a front for doing abortion.”Paul said he supported “some funding for community health centres” because “there are people who do need help”. “But really,” he said, “Planned Parenthood is sort of a front for doing abortion.”
Returning to a political point set to feature heavily in the Republican primary, he added: “I think if you look at it objectively, people would say, why do we have to get involved with a group that’s, you know, selling baby organs, you know?Returning to a political point set to feature heavily in the Republican primary, he added: “I think if you look at it objectively, people would say, why do we have to get involved with a group that’s, you know, selling baby organs, you know?
“Even pro-choice people are upset by these videos. So, I mean, I think the country ought to wake up and we ought to get rid of this funding.”“Even pro-choice people are upset by these videos. So, I mean, I think the country ought to wake up and we ought to get rid of this funding.”