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[[[[[[Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is proposing an amendment to the appropriations bill that funds the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to prohibit federal funding for Planned Parenthood."I just think it's wrong that the largest abortion provider in America is the largest recipient of non-abortion funding under Title X," Pence told Cybercast News Service.(Listen to audio)Title X is the "family planning" program run by HHS that funds birth control clinics.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."There is, however, no domestic Mexico City," said Pence. "Organizations like Planned Parenthood can do non-abortion family planning, receive federal funding for non-abortion family planning, even though another part of the same organization provides and promotes abortion as a form of birth control."I think it's time for a domestic Mexico City policy," ]]]]]]he said.(Listen to audio)Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), who recently was honored by Planned Parenthood for her leadership in fighting the Pence Amendment last session, said in a statement to Cybercast News Service that she also plans a repeat performance."It is unfortunate that some of my colleagues continue to pursue their misguided attacks on comprehensive family planning programs in general and Planned Parenthood specifically," Capps said. "Title X funding is a wise investment of tax dollars that encourages effective family planning and helps reduce unintended pregnancies.""Planned Parenthood has been a responsible steward of these Title X funds, providing vital reproductive health care and ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable and effective family planning services," she added. "I hope my colleagues will again join me in voting against this ill-advised amendment in order to protect our constituents' access to proven, effective family planning services," Capps said.But Pence said he is a staunch supporter of Title X."There are great things happening at federally funded clinics nationwide," Pence said. "Over five million individuals have been served, 90 percent of which come from low-income families. Additionally, it is estimated that over 900,000 unintended pregnancies were averted as a result of Title X family planning services."The problem with Planned Parenthood being the largest benefactor of Title X funding, Pence said, is that "money is fungible."Any federal money flowing into Planned Parenthoods coffers might as well go to pay for the abortions Planned Parenthood performs. According to its annual report, Planned Parenthood received almost a third of its annual $1 billion budget from federal grants and contracts. In 2005, it performed more than 260,000 abortions in the United States."I'm willing to take at face value (Planned Parenthood's) assertion that they are not using non-abortion Title X funding to actually perform or promote abortions," Pence said. "But I also want to recognize that money that they generate that would have to go to support non-abortion family planning can now be moved, because of the federal dollars, into providing and promoting abortion."(Listen to audio)Pence added that while overturning Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, is most likely a long-term proposition that is dependent on the future composition of the court, his amendment could not only stop the funding of the largest abortion provider in the U.S., but because no funding will be cut from Title X, would also free up millions of dollars to support family planning programs around the country that don't include abortion services.Pence plans to bring his amendment to the floor when the House considers the Labor, Health and Humane Services and Education appropriation bill this summer. Although the Democratic majority controls the legislative schedule, Pence's amendment need only contain language that relates to the appropriation bill up for consideration in order to reach the floor."It's time the American people know that the largest recipient of Title X funding in America is the largest abortion provider as well," Pence said. "It's time to pass the Pence Amendment to keep taxpayer money out of the hands of Planned Parenthood."As in the days of Noah....
