As 41 senators sign letter opposing Pence amendment, Tim Pawlenty among GOP candidates voicing support

Again stirring controversy on Capitol Hill is a measure in the U.S. House budget bill that would prevent federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood and cut Title X family planning funds. Potential presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty told anti-abortion rights group the Susan B. Anthony List that he supports defunding Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken signed a letter opposing the provision.

“Washington has a massive spending problem, and we need to set priorities,” Pawlenty told SBA List on April 1. “Recent undercover videos show that employees of America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, aided alleged human traffickers wishing to exploit young girls. Yet, they continue to receive significant taxpayer funding. That should come to an end.”

Pawlenty has in the past refused family planning dollars at the state level. Minnesota’s other potential presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, has stated her position against funding for Planned Parenthood numerous times.

Meanwhile, Klobuchar and Franken are among 42 senators who signed a letter urging Senate leadership to oppose cuts to Planned Parenthood and family planning funds.

“We… oppose the provision in the House-passed Continuing Resolution that cuts Planned Parenthood health centers off from federal funds used to provide cancer screenings, birth control and other preventive health care services to three million Americans every year,” the letter states. “Without access to these services, many of these women will be unable to get preventive screenings, be at far greater risk for diseases such as cancer and will face more unintended pregnancies.”