Robert Pittenger: “I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding. Mr. Speaker, taxpayer money should not be used for abortions, period.…”

“I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding. Mr. Speaker, taxpayer money should not be used for abortions, period. Taxpayer money should not be used to support abortion providers, period. As Americans, we are proud to support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, in the last fiscal year, $554 million of taxpayer money went to support Planned Parenthood. In the same year, it was responsible for the death of 323,999 innocent babies, even dismembering and selling baby parts. These lost children are a deep scar on our Nation. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have countered that Planned Parenthood does more than provide abortions. Well, let's take a look at the facts. According to Planned Parenthood's own 2014-2015 annual report, cancer screenings are down 27 percent, family planning and contraceptive services are down 18 percent, and STD prevention and treatments are down 6 percent. Planned Parenthood's services declined in the same year that they received a nearly 5 percent increase in Federal funding. Mr. Speaker, we are accountable for American taxpayer dollars. H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, defunds Planned Parenthood and shifts those same taxpayer dollars to the much larger network of community health clinics that do not provide abortions. This legislation will increase access to healthcare services for women while upholding and strengthening the value of life. H.R.…”