The U.S. House voted today to “block Planned Parenthood’s federal funding for one year, giving time for Congress to fully investigate claims of wrongdoing by the provider,” Sarah Ferris reported for The Hill. State investigations over the past two months have produced no evidence of wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood in relation to fetal tissue donations, despite sensational claims made by conservatives who cite misleadingly-edited undercover videos released this summer. The “Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015” passed on a mostly party-line vote of 241 to 187 (roll call). Representative Dave Loebsack (IA-02), who has a pro-choice voting record, opposed the Planned Parenthood bill, as did all but two House Democrats. Representative Rod Blum (IA-01) and David Young (IA-03) were among the 239 Republicans who supported the bill. Just three Republicans voted against it.
Steve King (IA-04) was the only House member to vote “present.” After the jump I’ve enclosed a statement King released earlier this week, explaining why, in his view, the bill “does not defund Planned Parenthood” and even “takes a huge step backwards from the initial conservative position that Planned Parenthood should not be receiving federal funds.” The Hill quoted King as saying today, “I expect much stronger language than this in the CR coming up in the next few weeks. Innocent, unborn babies deserve more than just a show vote.”
Shortly after the vote on Planned Parenthood funding, House members approved the so-called “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” by 248 votes to 177 (roll call). Blum, Young, and King all voted for that bill, while Loebsack opposed it. Emily Crockett reported for RH Reality Check that this bill
would add criminal penalties to the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002. It seems to be inspired by [the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress] CMP’s allegations that Planned Parenthood may have violated the law either by performing “partial-birth” abortions or by allowing infants to die after being born alive following an abortion. These allegations have not been substantiated.
On September 17, Iowa’s representatives split along party lines on a bill Republicans and business lobby groups said would reduce “frivolous” lawsuits by imposing monetary sanctions on plaintiffs’ attorneys deemed to have filed baseless claims. Blum, Young, and King all backed that legislation, which would amend Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; Loebsack voted against it. The White House has threatened to veto that bill.
Representative Steve King press release, September 16:
King: H.R. 3134 is Not Sufficient to Defund Planned Parenthood
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement to express his concerns about H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act:
“We should not be sending any funds whatsoever to Planned Parenthood,” said King. “H.R. 3134 simply restates current law – the Hyde Amendment. This bill does not defund Planned Parenthood – it reauthorizes Planned Parenthood to perform abortions with federal funds in the cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother. It does not take away any of their other streams of funding from the federal government or reduce federal funding to Planned Parenthood by even one dollar.
This bill takes a huge step backwards from the initial conservative position that Planned Parenthood should not be receiving federal funds. The gruesome practices that have been brought to light in the recent Planned Parenthood videos are appalling and have proven that they have no intention to follow current law.
That is why I am offering an amendment in House Rules today that simply states what the Conservative Republican position has been for decades and furthermore what the American people are demanding. My amendment says: ‘No funds authorized or appropriated by Federal law may be made available for any purpose to Planned Parenthood… any affiliate or clinic of Planned Parenthood… any successor.’
The funding fight starts now – this is our marker – H.R. 3134 is not a sufficient vote to defund Planned Parenthood. I expect much stronger language than this in the CR coming up in the next few weeks. Innocent, unborn babies deserve more than just a show vote.”
To view Mr. King’s amendment, click here.