Cornyn Introduces Legislation to Defund Planned Parenthood

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with 24 other Senators, have introduced legislation that will protect women and the unborn by defunding Planned Parenthood. The legislation was crafted by a working group of U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and James Lankford (R-OK) following the release of video footage depicting Planned Parenthood senior executives discussing the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies.

“The blatant disregard for precious, human life depicted in these videos is shocking, and we must stand up to protect our most vulnerable,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to fund women’s health, not to subsidize a political organization that perpetuates these kinds of abhorrent practices.”

In addition to Sen. Cornyn, other cosponsors of S. 1881 include John Barrasso (WY), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Richard Burr (NC), Dan Coats (IN), Tom Cotton (AR), Ted Cruz (TX), Steve Daines (MT), Mike Enzi (WY), Deb Fischer (NE), James Inhofe (OK), Johnny Isakson (GA), Ron Johnson (WI), John McCain (AZ), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), David Perdue (GA), Pat Roberts (KS), Ben Sasse (NE), Tim Scott (SC), and John Thune (SD). The Senate will vote on this legislation next week.

Background on the bill to prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

• This legislation Prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of its affiliate organizations.
• In addition to defunding Planned Parenthood, this legislation ensures the preservation of Federal funding for women’s health services including relevant diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, immunization, family planning services including contraception, sexually transmitted disease testing, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and referrals and ensures there is no reduction in overall federal funding available to support women’s health.