Defunding Planned Parenthood

Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), who I supported for minority leader in the House, has proposed an amendment to the appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor and Health & Human Services. The amendment would prohibit distribution of federal funds to Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion provider.

From CNS News:

Pence said his amendment mirrors the so-called "Mexico City policy" that currently prohibits federal funding for family planning programs overseas that perform or promote abortions.

"We don't give any U.S. tax dollars to any foreign family planning organization that promotes or provides abortion as a means of birth control," Pence said.

"We do that because we recognize that whatever Americans believe about abortion, they understand that it's morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars from millions of Americans who find abortion morally objectionable and use it to support organizations that promote abortion overseas," he added.

Here's the rub. Title X funding is only to go to non-abortion family planning practices. And Planned Parenthood claims they don't mix their "apples and oranges." No one takes issue with this, as it is commonly recognized that these funds are necessary particularly for low income families. Pence's argument is that the money is fungible. In other words, because the federal government provides so much money to offset the costs of non-abortion birth control, Planned Parenthood can solicit funds for abortion practices. In essence, the federal government is subsidizing the abortion practice - paying for all the organization's necessary services so that they can afford to abort babies, which is much less appealing or popular to potential donors. This is akin to asking the government to pay for your house note, property taxes and utilities, so that you can afford luxury furnishings and lavish amenities, and enjoy European vacations.

If Planned Parenthood can raise the funds for abortions, why can't they promote the more appealing cause of non-abortion family planning when generating revenues? Or better still, why can't they just separate the services into two different non-profit organizations? I believe we already know the answer to those questions.

In the Pence Amendment, the funding for Title X will not go away, but instead will free it up for clinics which prohibit abortion services. Would anyone complain that the necessary family practices for low income families are still being provided if they just so happen to not be provided by Planned Parenthood?

I applaud Congressman Pence for his efforts.