As New Video Is Unveiled, Trump Supports Linking Planned Parenthood Cuts To Spending Bill
Donald Trump, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination, said he supports congressional Republicans' strategy to add a defunding measure to the federal spending, a proposal that some critics have said could shut down the government. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office releases an analysis suggesting that a halt to federal funding of Planned Parenthood would increase federal spending for Medicaid and other programs. Also, the Center for Medical Progress releases a fifth undercover video of Planned Parenthood officials.
The Wall Street Journal:
Republicans Step Up Calls To Defund Planned Parenthood After New Video
Republicans repeated calls Tuesday to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds and highlighted their investigations as an antiabortion group released a fifth undercover video depicting a Planned Parenthood official discussing obtaining fetal tissue for research. Antiabortion groups say the video shows Melissa Farrell, research director for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast in Houston appearing to agree to adjust abortion procedures to obtain intact fetuses or specific fetal tissue. (Armour, 8/4)
Politico:
Trump: Shut Down The Government To Defund Planned Parenthood
Presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Donald Trump are teaming up to promote a confrontational tactic intended to strip Planned Parenthood of government funding, a move that plays to the GOP’s conservative base but also risks a shutdown. On Monday evening, GOP front-runner Trump officially blessed a strategy that would include a rider that defunds Planned Parenthood in a government funding bill. But Democrats have said they would oppose any bill that includes such a defunding rider, which would imperil funding legislation that Congress must pass by Sept. 30. (Everett, 8/4)
Politico:
Fifth Planned Parenthood Video Released
The Center for Medical Progress on Tuesday released its fifth undercover video on Planned Parenthood and its alleged sale of fetal organs, this time focusing on a Texas branch of the organization. (Pradhan, 8/4)
CNN:
CBO: Defunding Planned Parenthood Could Increase Federal Spending
A Congressional Budget Office analysis found that defunding Planned Parenthood could increase federal spending on Medicaid and other programs. The office, which provides nonpartisan analysis for Congress, released the findings Monday, the same day the Senate blocked a bill to defund the women's health organization. (Scott, 8/4)
The Washington Post's Fact Checker:
Harry Reid’s Incorrect Claim That 30 Percent Of Women Rely On Planned Parenthood For Health Care
Center for Medical Progress, a group that opposes abortion rights, in recent weeks released a series of covert videos filming Planned Parenthood officials describing the non-profit’s fetal tissue donation process. Amid Center for Medical Progress’s allegations that Planned Parenthood illegally and unethically is selling fetal tissues for profit, there is a renewed push among conservatives in Congress to pull federal funding for Planned Parenthood. In defense of Planned Parenthood, Reid said eliminating funding would jeopardize health care for 30 percent of women. Is he correct? (Lee, 8/5)