GOP To Continue Fight To Defund Planned Parenthood Through 2012 Campaigns

April 25, 2011 — House Republicans contend that they will continue to fight to defund Planned Parenthood after Congress returns from a two-week break, the Washington Times reports. According to the Times, the issue is expected to remain in the spotlight throughout the 2012 elections (McLaughlin, Washington Times, 4/24).

Republican House members sought to attach a policy rider to their 2011 continuing budget resolution that would strip all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. While the amendment was not included in the final version of the bill, lawmakers agreed to hold separate votes on that rider and another that sought to defund the federal health reform law. Both riders failed in the Democratic-led Senate (Women's Health Policy Report, 4/15).

Democrats have pointed out that federal law prohibits federal funding of abortion and criticized Republicans' tactic to insert social issues into the budget debates.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the group "will ensure that lawmakers who signed on to this extreme and divisive agenda continue to hear from outraged Americans through petitions, phone calls, protests and, most importantly, at the ballot box in 2012."

Jesse Ferguson, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Republican members of the House will be held accountable for "nearly shutting down the government, all to advance their radical social agenda" (Washington Times, 4/24).