Political Quotes

On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
I am just amazed by the extortion that I heard on the other side of the aisle tonight. Basically what the Republicans said is that if Planned Parenthood agreed not to perform abortions, then they could continue to perform their other functions. But if they insist on performing abortions, then we are going to starve them for money and they won't be able to provide contraceptives and family planning and all the other health care services for women that are so important here. To me, that is just an incredible statement, because essentially what you are saying is we will extort this. We don't really care about all these other services that they are providing. What we really care about is abortion. And if you sign on the dotted line, then you can continue to perform the other health care services, as long as you don't perform the service that is allowed under the law of the land. Now, I cannot believe that that was actually stated here this evening, because I know and we all know that all these other services, reproductive services and health care services, are so important for women, so important for families. For me to hear a Member on the other side suggest that somehow they are going to extort that and threaten that and hold that over everyone in order to accomplish this goal of saying you can't perform abortions I think is outrageous.
Said by
Frank Pallone
Democratic · New Jersey

Editor's note · Context

Pallone criticizes Republican proposals regarding funding for Planned Parenthood and abortion services.

Share

More from Frank Pallone

Jun 12, 2026

Amtrak must take prudent, extraordinary measures to reduce the likelihood of disruptions and maximize its ability to restore service quickly if an issue occurs.

pallone.house.gov
Jun 12, 2026

This summer we’re expecting visitors from around the world to visit our great state, but we are deeply concerned that Amtrak’s recent service disruptions in the weeks leading to the World Cup threaten to create another Summer of Hell for…

pallone.house.gov
Jun 24, 2026

I'm proud of the work the House Energy and Commerce Committee has done on a bipartisan basis, and I look forward to working to bring this package to the House floor for a vote soon.

pallone.house.gov
Jun 25, 2026

This simply cannot continue. That is why I am in favor of a national AI data center moratorium until we can find a way to ensure they don’t harm our nation’s air, water, and power bills.

pallone.house.gov

Other voices in this conversation