On the recordSeptember 17, 2015
I want to make it clear that this is not simply an issue of whether Planned Parenthood broke the law by selling fetal body parts obtained through abortions. The real tragedy we are confronted with today is that human beings have been reduced to mere commodities in this practice, and Federal dollars are contributing to it. I do not want to contribute to a system that profits from someone's fate nor do I want to subject millions of taxpayers to supporting this violation of life. It is often a temptation to boil this argument down to medical terms and ignore the real losses our Nation faces when we choose to reject someone before he or she has been given the chance to live. For this reason, I do not support funding Planned Parenthood and its tragic influence on our Nation's future. Defunding Planned Parenthood will have no effect on women's health. In the State of Idaho alone, there are 76 federally qualified health centers, and only 3 Planned Parenthood facilities. Women can and will receive health care in these facilities. ____________________
