Roe Joins Black, Other House Members to Introduce Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act
Washington,
Jan 8 -
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) released the following statement on H.R. 217, legislation he cosponsored to ensure that Title X family planning grants are used for their intended purpose and are prohibited from being used by organizations that provide abortions:
“As an OB/GYN that has delivered over 5,000 babies, I am pleased to join Congressman Black to support this important legislation,” said Roe. “This bill will ensure that organizations like Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States, cannot use federal funds toward abortions. Life begins at conception, and I will continue to work tirelessly to be a strong voice for the unborn and their right to life.”
“As a nurse for more than 40 years, I have spent my career protecting the sanctity of life. I am proud to continue fighting for the rights of the unborn by introducing this important legislation that ensures no federal funds are used for the promotion or performance of abortions. By clarifying the original intent and spirit of the law, Title X federally funded grants will no longer be awarded to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States, or any other organization that abuses their privileges as health care providers and fails to protect life by providing abortions. It is long past time for Congress to respect the will of the American people and stop taxpayer funded abortions – a heinous abuse of the law and destruction of innocent life,” said Congressman Diane Black (R-TN), who sponsored the legislation.
Background:
Additional original cosponsors include Steve Scalise (R-LA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), John Fleming (R-LA), Joe Pitts (R-PA), Tom Price (R-GA), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Martha Roby (R-AL), Steve King (R-IA), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Bill Flores (R-TX), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Jason Amash (R-MI), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Tom Graves (R-GA), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Virginia Foxx (R-VA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Tom Reed (R-NY) and Renee Ellmers (R-NC). Click here to view the legislation.
Despite the fact that the law which authorizes Title X “family planning” funding explicitly states that these funds are barred from being used for abortion directly or for programs where abortion is a method of family planning, organizations like Planned Parenthood continue to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars to subsidize its abortion business. While abortion providers continue to claim that “no federal funds pay for abortion,” audited financial records show no meaningful separation of funds to ensure tax dollars do not subsidize its abortion practices. Planned Parenthood has been found to use federal funds to support the services and products rendered in connection with abortions, including office visits, ultrasounds, Rh factor tests, lab work, general counseling, and abortion aftercare.
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act is supported by various organizations including, the Susan B. Anthony Group, Family Research Council Action, National Right to Life Committee, Tennessee Right to Life, Americans United for Life Action, and the Eagle Forum.
