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Newhouse Votes to Hold Planned Parenthood Accountable, Protect Abortion Survivors

September 18, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement on voting to support passage of legislation he co-sponsored, H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act and H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:

"I voted in favor of legislation to defund Planned Parenthood as investigations into the organization's practices continue and to require medical care for abortion survivors because protecting the dignity of every human life upholds our society's highest values," said Rep. Newhouse. "Who can view the content of the recent Planned Parenthood videos and not come away repulsed by these horrific practices? Taxpayers should not be forced to allow their tax dollars to support the nation's largest abortion provider when there are many alternative community health clinics that support women's health without offending the conscience of the American people. We cannot turn our backs on the unborn, and Congress must continue to hold Planned Parenthood accountable."

Background:

H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 would place a moratorium on funding for Planned Parenthood for one year beginning on the date of the enactment unless it is certified that Planned Parenthood affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period.

Major Provisions in H.R. 3134:

  • Prohibits, for a one-year period, the availability of federal funds for any purpose to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any of its affiliates or clinics, unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period.

  • Provides that the funding restrictions will not apply in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed.

  • Requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture to seek repayment of federal assistance received by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., or any affiliate or clinic, if it violates the terms of the certification required by the Act.

Earlier this year, Rep. Newhouse voted to pass H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization, with exceptions to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest.

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Dan Newhouse Planned Parenthood Debate

WATCH REP. NEWHOUSE STATEMENT SUPPORTING H.R. 3134, THE DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACT

TRANSCRIPT:

A question comes to mind to me: What is a human life worth? A just, compassionate, and evolved society views human life as worthy of dignity and respect and protection. The mere idea of any entity profiting financially as a result of the loss of human life is not only repulsive, but I think morally repugnant.

Horrifyingly, there are both individuals and corporations who take the atrocious step of placing monetary value on the tissues, on the organs, and by consequence, the life of unborn children. Over the past several weeks and months, many Americans have witnessed videos showing the deplorable statements made by the senior director of medical services for Planned Parenthood where she cavalierly discusses the harvesting and trafficking of organs and tissue samples from aborted babies. America watched in disbelief as another medical director discussed negotiating the value of a human being when she suggested that each fetal sample be priced individually to "see how much we can get for it." In yet another instance, a research director callously indicates that altering the abortion process results in intact fetal cadavers and increases the number of "line items."

I was repulsed by the horrific content contained in the first Planned Parenthood video that was released.

I think Congress must take action to ensure that taxpayers are not unknowing accomplices in the taking of an innocent human life. Taxpayers are currently the largest funding source for Planned Parenthood – providing the organization with more than $500 million in the last fiscal year alone. No American should be forced to support the callous and immoral actions perpetuated by Planned Parenthood. I firmly believe H.R. 3134 is the only way to truly stop federal funding for Planned Parenthood as we investigate the deplorable actions that the videos showed us.

I also want to address a misconception about this bill, and I have heard this several times this evening. Do not be coerced into believing we are facing what you could call a Sophie's Choice. We are not being forced to choose between supporting the health of our nation's women and forcing taxpayers to support abortions. That is not the choice. While Congress thoroughly investigates the actions of Planned Parenthood, an equal amount of government funding, that Planned Parenthood would not receive under this bill, would be allocated to other health providers, including community health clinics, who provide vital and comprehensive healthcare for women. Across the nation, there are more than 13,500 of these community health clinics, compared to fewer than 700 Planned Parenthood clinics. In the State of Washington alone, there are 12 healthcare clinics available to provide vital services to women for every one Planned Parenthood clinic.

Congress absolutely cannot turn its back on the atrocities uncovered regarding Planned Parenthood. We must work together to protect both the taxpayers and the unborn children whose lives and bodies are being haggled for in callous and blatant disrespect for the value of innocent human life. If not us, who will fight to protect these children who cannot protect themselves?