Videos Fuel GOP Efforts To Defund Planned Parenthood
The release of a second covert video related to fetal parts has put the organization on the defensive. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., acknowledged that the videos raise questions but maintains that Planned Parenthood hasn't broken the law.
Politico:
Congress Bears Down On Planned Parenthood After Second Video
Congress’ planned crackdown on Planned Parenthood is looking increasingly real. Republican leaders are weighing a series of votes to defund Planned Parenthood — possibly beginning before the August recess — after the release of a second undercover sting video allegedly showing one of the abortion rights group’s officials discussing the sale of fetal organs. (Bade and Sherman, 7/21)
The Hill:
Fears On Left Grow For Planned Parenthood
Critics of Planned Parenthood on Tuesday released a second secretly recorded video related to fetal parts, putting the group on the defensive and spurring fears on the left of a new ACORN scandal. The new video shows Dr. Mary Gatter, a Planned Parenthood official, apparently negotiating the price of fetal tissue for medical research. The Center for Medical Progress, which is behind the video, says it shows Planned Parenthood illegally profiting off the sale of fetal organs. (Sullivan and Ferris, 7/22)
The Hill:
Reid: Videos Don't Prove Planned Parenthood Broke The Law
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid suggested Tuesday that while two recent videos raise questions about Planned Parenthood, he doesn't believe the organization broke the law. "These politically motivated videos raises questions, but nothing I've seen indicates that Planned Parenthood violated federal law," the Nevada Democrat told reporters. (Carney, 7/21)
Politico:
What Do Highways Have To Do With Planned Parenthood And Obamacare?
Clumped together in the single digits in recent national polls, GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sense an opportunity to get some much-needed traction in the must-pass legislation. And they’re seizing it, with plans to tack on controversial proposals — or potentially hold up the entire bill if they don’t get what they want. Paul is pushing an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood precisely at the moment the women’s health group is under siege for videos showing officials discussing harvesting organs from aborted fetuses. The Kentucky lawmaker, of course, is well practiced in the art of taking over the Senate floor to promote his causes, most recently forcing the PATRIOT Act to lapse temporarily. (Everett, 7/21)
CNN:
Second Planned Parenthood Video Surfaces Showing Alleged Selling Of Fetal Tissue
An anti-abortion group says a second under cover video proves that Planned Parenthood is selling the body parts of aborted fetuses, a practice that is illegal and that the group denies doing. The Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, released both edited and unedited videos last week of a Planned Parenthood executive discussing money related to aborted fetus organs and tissues. (Scott, 7/21)
The Associated Press:
A 2nd Covert Video Targets Planned Parenthood On Fetal Parts
In another portion of the video, she appears to suggest that abortion procedures could be modified in some cases to get more intact fetuses. Under federal law, there should be no alteration in the timing or method of an abortion done solely for the purpose of obtaining fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood spokesman Eric Ferrero said the source of the videos "is a group of extremists who have intimidated women and doctors for years in their agenda to ban abortion completely." (7/21)
Politico Pro:
New Planned Parenthood Sting Video Released
The group behind last week’s undercover Planned Parenthood video is out with a new release showing a different executive talking about the acceptable cost of handling a fetal tissue sample. The video features Mary Gatter, who is president of the group’s medical director council, engaging in a conversation with the Center for Medical Progress’ actors, who posed as representatives of a firm that handles fetal tissue donations. (Haberkorn, 7/21)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Missouri To Investigate Planned Parenthood After Video Controversy
Missouri elected officials announced efforts Tuesday to investigate Planned Parenthood following the release of a controversial video that raised questions about whether the national abortion provider was selling fetal tissue for profit — and if Missouri affiliates were participating in such a scheme. The separate moves by Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster and the Republican-led state Senate propel Missouri into the forefront of a national uproar caused by the video after it was made public last week. The video specifically mentions St. Louis as a possible location to obtain fetal tissue. (Shapiro, 7/22)
