Women Dem. senators angry family planning funds part of negotiations
Washington (CNN) - Nine female Senate Democrats stood grimly together Friday afternoon in a move to ramp up pressure on House Republicans and force a compromise on the budget.
"We are heading to a shutdown not because of a debate over money, not because of a debate over cuts but because Republicans continue to push a radical agenda against women," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Maryland.
The nine women spoke one by one to decry what they called the chief sticking point in the budget negotiations: federal money for Title X, which funds family planning and health clinics.
"Where we will not go is eliminating the healthcare for women," Mikulski said. "Make no mistake that this entire debate has included throwing women and children under the bus."
House Republicans object that some of those funds go to Planned Parenthood, which performs abortions. While Planned Parenthood says it never uses federal dollars for abortion services because that is already illegal, Republicans don't buy it, arguing federal money essentially subsidizes Planned Parenthood which helps it provide abortions.
One GOP proposal would send the Title X money to the states and let the governors decide how to spend it.
The Democratic senators did not respond to a shouted question on that idea.
Instead, the women argued policy measures like Title X cuts should not be attached to the government spending bill.
"Women's health care shouldn't be a pawn in this debate," said Sen. Patty Murray D-Washington.
Republicans, however, continue to insist negotiations are held up on disagreements over spending.
And Democrats continued to insist that wasn't so.
"We have a deal on the numbers," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California. "And guess what this was about? Numbers."
From CNN Politics
- Former Fugees member faces federal trial as potential jurors are questioned about star-studded witness list
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Biden's student loan forgiveness program faces a new threat from Senate Republicans
- Why Israel's instability matters to the US
- Untitled
- White House says 50 US officials targeted with spyware as it rolls out new ban of hacking tools
You know, if this is really what this deal is hanging on - that the GOP whiners want Planned Parenthood funding shut down even though they don't perform state or federally funded abortions, then shut it down. Stop negotiating with them right now and shut it down. The dems have given 70% and the GOP nothing. So low-income women (and men) can't get reproductive services like gynocological exams, mammagrams, and birth control? We don't live in 1950 and I sure as hell don't want to go back there. Shut it down.
GOP SCHMUCKS are outrageous liars spewing that Planned Parenthood is 90% about abortions. TOTAL LIES AS USUAL FROM GOP SCUM.
Just think about how much Tea-Publicans clamored last year about wanting government out of the doctors office telling the doctor and woman what she can do with her own body and here we are today with this same bunch of hypocrites trying to tell American women what they can't do with their bodies. I wonder what it would be like if women ruled. I wonder how much backlash women would get if they introduced legislation that required men to get check-up and colonoscopies every year or two and told them they could go to their own doctor but rather to someone they did not know or trust.
Women I hope you noticed Palin is hiding in the closet on this one along with anything that has to do with math in a budget, so what does that tell you about her. I don't like Bachmann either but I will give her credit for speaking on budget figures and planned parenting for women, she's not as dumb as Palin. Palin is dumber than dumb.
Congress (especially you, Tea Party), please please please grow up and for once focus on the interest of the PEOPLE instead of politics. This is ridiculous. I am starting to become ashamed of my service under this government.
"We have a deal on the numbers"
And the LEFT went beyond and did not slumber
The RIGHT is known for flip-flopping the issue
Boehner Boo-Hoo producing SNOT and TEARS in tissues
ALL WOMEN UNITE
DO NOT LET THE RIGHT
WIN THIS FIGHT!!!
The Conservatives have pulled a sleigh of hand. They took their long list of social changes (abortion, kill PBS/NPR, health care, ...) and repackaged them as fiscal responsibility. Then, as the liberals object, they cast them as being irresponsible for resisting any attempts to reduce the deficit.
This is all so sleazy. There are many budget reforms that can get bi-partisan support. Instead, they are playing political football at the nation's expense.
Rep. Tom Paine of Georgia should be sued by Planned Parenthood for libel and slander. He blatantly stands and says they use Federal money for abortions – but he doesn't have to have the paper to prove it. Why? Because he is a liar.
Facts Don't Matter on Fox News – but they do matter to mainstream Americans that are not in a trance. Shame on the Republicans for playing Culture War games on things like NPR and Planned Parenthood that don't amount to squat in budget spending. TIme to grow a spine Republicans and cut the Defense budget already. It's not rocket science – you need to cut the largest pieces of the budget pie to make any kind of progress in balancing the $.
I guess Palin doesn't care about women anymore. She is rich now and can pay for her breast implaints, tummy tuck, butt lift and face lift. She has been hiding out until she heals from plastic surgery.
Obummie said federal money should not be used for abortions. He is either a liar or Planned Parenthood funding, if any, will have a rider saying they can't use money for abortions. These dumbocrap women need to quit lying about what the real issue is.
If Planned Parenthood provides women's healthcare why do we need Obamacare?
This is precisely why we must keep Church and State separate. Every one has the right to their own personal beliefs but, there is no place for Religion in Politics. Any Church or Minister that gets involved with Politics should lose their tax exempt status. Planned Parenthood provides a necessary service to women and by Law, Federal tax dollars cannot be used for abortion. They must keep records and they are audited. If the GOP wants smaller Government then, they need to stay out of our personal lives.
I wish there was some way to know who is telling the truth. Some say federal dollars is use for abortions, other say it not. Whatever services that are available to help people with health issues is valuable, I don't agree that abortion is a health issue rather a choice to take an unborn life.
However, the platform to deal with this is one-to-one conversation with the woman who is considering such a thing.
The GOP tries to say the Dems are the ones that want the shut down, but who are the ones chanting "Shut it down, Shut it down!" The GOP, not the Dems, that's who!!!!!
The Dems are fighting for women's health by trying to protect funding for Planned Parenthood. Good for them. When I was a poor struggling graduate student, I didn't have insurance and had some female problems....Planned Parenthood was there to help me out when no other heath care was an option because I didn't have the insurance or money. I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD!!!!!
This is so ridiculous. Who goes to " Unplanned Parenthood"? Why are we funding an organization who make more of the big bucks by ending a life? We need to cut programs that, are costing all of us who actually pay taxes, to support just another form of "Entitlements". No pity for the Democrats. Had your chance. House, Senate, & White House, yet they could not pass a budget for last year. Obama is loving this. More blame on his reckless spending by using the Military to justify his in-actions.
You tell 'em, ladies! The Republican excuse machine has gone beyond ridiculous now! Hands off our health care - all of it! I would take "Obamacare" over these bozos' "Death to the Poor" plan any day of the week. Trying to defund Planned Parenthood is just the last straw as far as I'm concerned. From now on I'm for whatever plan the GOP is against, the more socialist the better!
Terry in VA, I think you might be EVIL! I've received services from planned parenthood and never had an abortion...so have many many many other women.....apparently something you can't comprehend...womens health issues goes beyond abortion. I had a pap smear when I thought I might have cancer and didn't have insurance....Thank goodness PP was there to help me...Cause you sure weren't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jerk!
First, let me say I'm 100% in support of any woman getting an abortion, if that's what she chooses. I am totally for a woman's right to choose – her body, her choice.
That being said, federal funds should NOT be used to subsidize abortions.
Both sides forget half the country doesn't agree with them. It's not like there's a tiny minority against abortion or for abortion...this is such a deeply personal choice, it MUST BE a personal choice.
When you take federal dollars, which come from the tax rolls that you and I and every working adult pays...and use it for abortions, you are using money that not only comes from the 50% who support abortion rights, but the 50% who do not support abortion rights.
Now, you could use this argument for a lot of things, I realize – and since I'm completely in support of slashing the government's size down to a tiny portion of what it is now, it's likely I'll agree with you on most of the cuts you come up with.
This, however, IS a funding that must go away. States may choose or not choose to fund these clinics themselves. We are a Republic of United States – each state must make this decision individually, rather than having it made on the federal level.
MJ, I think Sarah Palins daughter went to Umplanned parenthood! Need I say more?
Notice how Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R) from Tennessee will NOT directly answer Wolf Blitzer's question about passing the budget? She keeps putting it back on the Democrats – and lies ! while she's doing it. What is WITH these people? Vote them out in the election and get America back on track.
Terry,va – It's hilarious that you are calling people names. Federal funds CAN'T & AREN'T used to fund abortions. IT'S AGAINST THE LAW. So anyone who tells you different is LYING & manipulating you....yep, that does make you the dummy who's full of crap.
Jennifer, I agree with you....the government needs to listen to those of us that pay taxes.....so they need to stop listening to big corporations that buy politicians since we all know you an I actually pay income tax and the companies don't. I paid more in taxes last year that GE...one of the biggest companies in the country....I paid more in taxes than Bank of America, than the companies owned by the Koch brothers...so why do they have so much more political pull than I do....even on such things as womens health care?
I am so sick and tired this those republicans / tea sniffers , and their koch klan korp masters. The GOP never did anything for the middle class and the poor of this country. They are so out of touch with our struggles, they openly don’t care. they want to take us back to the 18 century.
ONCE & FOR ALL – THE HYDE ACT FORBIDS THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TOWARD ABORTION – NO FEDERAL FUNDS ARE USED TO FUND ABORTIONS – END OF STORY. Anyone who is saying this is using lies & misinformation to manipulate the anti-abortion crowd. You guys need to be asking why you're leaders are LYING to you!!!!!!!