Anti-abortion youth group calls federal budget deal a ‘partial victory’
Though last Friday’s near-government shutdown did not lead to a major defunding of Title X family planning programs, at least one anti-abortion group, Students for Life of America, still sees it as a “partial victory for the pro-life movement,” and is unlikely to give up the fight to defund Planned Parenthood. # The United States government was on the verge of shutting down over a dispute involving funding for Planned Parenthood and clinics like it.
Jul 31, 202022.3K Shares973.6K Views
Though last Friday’s near-government shutdown did not lead to a major defunding of Title X family planning programs, at least one anti-abortion group, Students for Life of America, still sees it as a “partial victory for the pro-life movement,” and is unlikely to give up the fight to defund Planned Parenthood. #
The United States government was on the verge of shutting down over a disputeinvolving funding for Planned Parenthood and clinics like it. Riders on the continuing resolution bill — like the one blocking funding for Planned Parenthood — led to major party-line disagreements. #
Though Title X funds are not used to perform abortion services, many Republicans (the majority of whom are male) supported the riders that would lead to drastic cuts to clinics that often operate in underserved communities. #
The shutdown was eventually averted by a funding resolution between Republicans and Democrats, but those staunchly opposed to federal funding of Planned Parenthood are still bringing attention to their cause. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., the leader of the Republican charge to defund Planned Parenthood, even released a statementlate Friday, announcing that reports that he would be willing to compromise were “erroneous.” #
In an April 11 email, a group called “Students for Life of America” said the deal was still a boon to the anti-abortion movement. “While, our goal of de-funding of Planned Parenthood was not achieved, we advanced the ball forward, pushing through the misleading rhetoric on Capitol Hill, and obtained the opportunity for an historic vote which will take place in the U.S. Senate this week,” reads the email. #
According to her online bio, Students for Life’s executive director, Kristan Hawkins, served as a political appointee in the George W. Bush Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. #
In the April 11 email, titled “We are your bad conscience,” Hawkins wrote that the stopgap budget deal will “force the pro-abortion leaders in the U.S. Senate and President Obama to accept the pro-life Dornan Amendment, which prevents tax-paying funding of abortions in the District of Columbia.” #
“„This is huge! Just 2 months ago, experts were telling me that getting a vote in the Senate would be impossible, and I shouldn’t even hope for it. #
Further, think about this…Our efforts were so effective that the disagreements over Planned Parenthood funding between the pro-life House and pro-abortion Senate leadership almost caused a government shut down. #
… #
Last week may have ended without de-funding Planned Parenthood, but that decision should not break our defiance. #
We will continue to fight for women and their preborn babies until we see an end to abortion. As the members of the White Rose, the student-led Nazi opposition group, once stated, “We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience.” #
Students for Life is a member of the Expose Planned Parenthoodcoalition, which is comprised of of anti-choice groups whose main aim is to defund the organization. The coalition’s website contains several strong claims against Planned Parenthood, going so far as to say it has “proven itself to be the best friend and perfect partner for a sex trafficker and statutory rapist” and says that Planned Parenthood does little more than provide abortions. #
Those opposed to Title X defunding argue that Planned Parenthood provides health care services to underserved populations and arguably helps prevent many abortions and health issues by offering birth control and STD testing services. #
Hajra Shannon
Reviewer
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