GOP Wants To Defund Planned Parenthood In 2017; They Have No Excuses Not To

It’s been the rallying cry for some in the Republican Party going back to 2010. Planned Parenthood takes in $500 million a year in federal funding. They are quick to point out none of the money goes to pay for abortions because of the Hyde Amendment. That is true, but the money certainly subsidizes the abortions, allowing Planned Parenthood to keep the cost lower. Thus, they can perform 300,000 abortions per year.

Republicans are targeting early 2017 to get the ball rolling:

Congressional Republicans are aiming to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood early next year, according to GOP sources on and off the Hill, as social conservatives press for a milestone win under Donald Trump’s presidency after years of thwarted attempts to defund the health care group.

Although the Senate passed a budget bill in late 2015 that eliminated federal money for Planned Parenthood and also repealed Obamacare, President Barack Obama vetoed the measure in early January. But with Trump in the White House next year, conservatives say it’s just a matter of time before a defunding bill becomes law.

Then comes Politico’s editorial portion of the story:

If successful, this latest push would be the single biggest victory for anti-abortion groups in years, and likely the first step in a broader agenda aimed at sharply curtailing abortion procedures. Federal law already bars Planned Parenthood from using taxpayer funds for abortions; the group uses the money for family planning and other health services. But anti-abortion groups insist the funding facilitates abortion by freeing up other funds for abortion services.

What broader agenda? Abortions are actually on the decline. Conservatives have won on this aspect of the culture war. What’s left is making sure places that provide abortions are not getting subsidies from taxpayers. Politico says most of the money is used for “family planning.” In what way? Adoptions?

No.

Planned Parenthood’s 2014–15 annual report.

Adoption referrals: 2,024
Abortions: 323,999

One adoption referral for every 160 abortions.

— Matt Smethurst (@MattSmethurst) November 17, 2016

With Donald Trump in the White House and a GOP-controlled Congress, this is going to be their best chance.

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