http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/248307-paul-vows-to-defund-planned-parenthood-next-week By Peter Sullivan - 07/17/15 10:33 AM EDT
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Friday that he will demand a vote next week on defunding Planned Parenthood after the release of a video this week that shows a Planned Parenthood executive candidly discussing the donation of fetal organs.
A statement from Paul’s office says that he will “use all legislative vehicles at his disposal” and the timeframe is the “coming week.”
That declaration raises the prospect that Paul, a presidential candidate, could seek to attach the measure to must-pass legislation like an extension of the federal highway program ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Democrats are sure to seek to block attempts to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
However, Republicans think they have momentum following the release of the video.
The group’s president, Cecile Richards, apologized for the official’s tone on Thursday but defended the group’s actions. She said the group helps with the donation of fetal tissue for medical research, does not profit from it and follows the law.
Republicans, though, have strongly denounced the video and are planning to move up the timeline for a 20-week abortion ban in the Senate to after the August recess.
“The continued disregard and disrespect for human life at Planned Parenthood, a partially taxpayer-funded organization, is shocking and appalling,” Paul said.
“Recent video revelations, involving potentially criminal activity, make it more obvious than ever that this organization has absolutely zero respect for the sanctity of human life and is an affront to the most basic human dignity enshrined in our founding documents.”
He vowed to cut off federal funding.
“Not one more taxpayer dollar should go to Planned Parenthood, and I intend to make that goal a reality,” he said.
