#StandwithPP battles #DefundPP ahead of US vote on reproductive health non-profit

Senate Republicans are calling to defund Planned Parenthhood, a women’s reproductive health organisation, in a scheduled procedural vote today. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said on Sunday that funds should instead be allocated to community health centres. 

 

Every Republican and six Democrats would need to vote in favour of the bill in order for it to pass. The White House has stated they oppose efforts to defund the organisation. 

 

This vote comes after a series of controversial videos were released by anti-abortion activists showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of tissue from aborted fetuses. 

 

President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, released a statement saying the videos were “heavily edited” and “the allegation that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation is not true”. Richards also apologised for the behaviour of one of her staff members, saying her organisation takes “swift action” to address areas “that can be strengthened”.