Scott Brown: Planned Parenthood Funding Cut Proposal 'Goes Too Far'

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) spoke out against budget cuts proposed by members of his own party that would restrict Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal funding.

The Massachusetts senator addressed Republican efforts in the House to defund the organization in a statement released on Tuesday.

"I support family planning and health services for women," he said of ongoing budget negotiations related to the abortion provider. "Given our severe budget problems, I don't believe any area of the budget is completely immune from cuts. However, the proposal to eliminate all funding for family planning goes too far. As we continue with our budget negotiations, I hope we can find a compromise that is reasonable and appropriate."

The Hill reports:

House Republicans have pushed for language cutting $300 million in federal aid and grants to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions. The federal Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funding for abortion services, but anti-abortion rights activists and conservative lawmakers say the money could help indirectly fund abortions. Planned Parenthood offers other reproductive health services besides abortions.

The Boston Globe notes:

Earlier this month, Brown voted in favor the House GOP proposal that would have made the cuts, though he said at the time that he "would have had different priorities" in cutting spending.

The measure supported by the the Massachusetts senator was defeated in the upper congressional chamber.

Politico reported earlier this month:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has come out in opposition to the House's attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, making her the first Republican senator to specifically support the beleaguered organization.

"I believe Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with their funding cuts in the bill," she wrote in a letter to Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Vice Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). "I ask you to consider these programs going forward to determine if there is room for allowing continued funding."

Comments

[Leothelion33]

05:26 PM on 04/01/2011

What? A Republican with guts? This can't be. What will the Wizard of Oz say?

[Howard Allen]

03:44 PM on 04/01/2011

My email to Rep. Fitzpatrick pending a response....
Mr Fitzpatrick,
I am concerned about the quality of the proposed tax cuts based on the impact to our low income neighbors. Planned Parenthood federal funding is providing much needed non abortion health care to many many people that have no alternatives. I fail to see how removing the ounce of protection is going to help when we will need a pound of cure. The cost to society for increased teen pregnancy, spread of STDs, undetected cancers will be far greater than the current funding allotment. Federal subsidies for home heating oil is another loss I shudder to think about. There are far better targets for cuts that have little to no impact on individuals...specifically oil industry subsidies for an industry that can clearly cover thier on costs given thier record profits. Farm subsidies are clearly another area that needs reform. The original intent of that program was to help small farmers and that clearly is no longer the case. Where is the fiscal conservative outrage for corp welfare? How can you, specifically, justify not reducing corporate welfare before human welfare. We may need to cut all programs to some degree but how can you not put people before corporations; how can it not be the more christian thing to do???
Sincerely,
Howard Allen
.

[wishfulslinkings]

01:54 PM on 03/27/2011

Good for Brown

[Albert Dussault]

07:42 PM on 03/23/2011

Well we knew the metaphor from the beginning--they are pro-war, unless it is a democrat in the white house. How unsophisticated can they get--defunding planned parenthood at the same time that the incomes from the poor are getting less able to manage even small families...
They want to defund health--but the trillion dollars in defense budget look sacred.
Who are the people who vote for these numb-skulls. Are there really anti-baby people in the world? Are there really wealthy congressmen and women who want to make it even more difficult than it already is for the unfortunate.
I am afraid that i am seeing myself more polarized as this session of congress goes forward. I have little hope for republicans to be ever interested in equality--they vote as a block--block-heads that is!

[TheIndependenceParty]

07:45 PM on 03/23/2011

I second that! Thanks to them both.

[murphthesurf3]

07:11 PM on 03/23/2011

This did not post. Why?

THE ONCE AND FUTURE GOP


Brown, Murkowski (and I expect Collins and Snow will join them) are what is left of the moderate GOP.

But they are also the future of the party.

We are a country of centrists. No way around.

These four understand this and want their careers in the Senate to continue.

We need a healthy two party system and moderates are the key for both the GOP and Dems.

[imaxfli]

06:50 PM on 03/23/2011

wow...looks like there is a sane Republican.

[devilirius]

04:27 PM on 03/23/2011

It is quiet and interesting development that Brown, Murkowski, Snowe and Collins now have much more power than McConnell.

[blueken]

04:09 PM on 03/23/2011

Just look at who is helped by Planed Parenthood. The tired, the poor and wretched yearning to be free. Now look who is not helped by Paned Parenthood. The wealthy, independant, and powerful. Of course we are going to de-fund them. Vote Republican, just because someday you would like to be one of them. It ain't gonna happen. "Do what they do, just to be nothing more than something they invest in." Bob Dylan, Masters of War. Tell me brother, which side you on? I think I said that.

[jazzypaul]

05:15 PM on 03/23/2011

"Tell me brother, which side you on? I think I said that."

Only if your name is Pete Seeger. :)

[blueken]

08:04 AM on 03/24/2011

Ok, so maybe I heard Pete say that in the 60's, are you surprised I don't remember it? To prove my point, I don't think the Dylan quote was from "Masters of War", I think it was from "It's Alll Right Momma". Memories are a terrible thing to waste.

[TheIndependenceParty]

07:55 PM on 03/23/2011

It is even worse than that. The wealthy do not care that they do not receive services from Planned Parenthood. After all, they would not mingle with the "Riff Raff" they would find their, ... America's working class daughters and mothers.

No, what the Rabid Right is attempting to do is impose its moral beliefs upon the daily conduct of American lives, our daughter's lives, and our wives. They will not relent until the majority of Americans grow utterly exasperated with them, and send the legislators who push this upon us, packing and out of office.

Defunding Planned Parenthood and NPR, ... the full court press in legislatures across America to make abortion so difficult to receive that women are forced to give birth to unwanted children. The relentless destruction of the public school system drive by voucher advocates who want to spend their money on religious schools in their place.

There is a Holy War under way in America, and the charge is on, and coordinated on the Right. Boehner described the rules of war under which this is occurring when he said that "Compromise" was a bad word. Many who heard him believed he was describing economic compromise. But many standing behind him will push for social and religious domination by the Religious Right as well.

They are nearly frothing at the mouth to pass their agenda, make it law, and control every private aspect of Americans' lives.

[WarrenPease]

03:17 PM on 03/23/2011

"I hope we can find a compromise that is reasonable and appropriate."

Good luck with that, Scott. Are you new to the Republican party?

[itzkat]

02:57 PM on 03/23/2011

I can never understand the move to ban family planning. That will only lead to more low income women having more babies that they will need help to feed, educate and provide medical attention. Our choice is either to pay to avoid unwanted pregnancies or get used to seeing starving children. I would rather avoid that.

[blueken]

04:11 PM on 03/23/2011

Don't forget all those kids having un-protected sex. Then you get the double wammy. Unwanted child to a person with a sexualy transmitted desease. Let us all celebrate ignorance.

[citizen of the universe]

06:07 PM on 03/23/2011

Women get pregnant everyday, it isn't just poor people coming through those doors. This notion that all Planned Parenthood does is help poor women not get pregnant is ridiculous. Planned Parenthood provides medical service to people. Besides, who says that all babies by poor people are unwanted?

[bswell]

02:42 PM on 03/23/2011

Scotty, we hardly knew ye. Thanks for not being a complete pawn of the right wing. Way to keep getting elected in Massachusetts!

[Bpeirce]

04:50 PM on 03/23/2011

Whos to say Brown might be pulling a Walker on us. That is, lying about the issues he is running for.

[anothervoice2]

06:24 PM on 03/23/2011

He says he is against the bill he voted on last month! Brilliant! Way to vote. Like a right winger from the South. He will lose in MA in 2012!

[newtom]

02:10 PM on 03/23/2011

Even if they cut the whole thing it would only be a drop in the bucket. Indeed, analysts say it would end up costing more in other ways and lead to more unwanted pregnancies and higbher demand for @bortions. (that word seems to get cut.)

The expense of the first day of missles launched into Libya cost more than all these GOP budget cut proposals. Perhaps we could bill the UN for our expenses. Or better yet, stop spending money on endless wars.

[Nevervotesrepublican]

01:48 PM on 03/23/2011

Scott just wants to slash the budget, not totally defund it. What a nice republican. Trying to look moderate for his reelection bid in 2012. Won't work, Massachusetts workers know that republicans are the enemy of the working class.

Look what New Hampshire did today. The ended collective bargaining for their state workers.,
Shame New Hampshire, SHAME!!!!!

[Dan1902]

02:13 PM on 03/23/2011

HuffPo won't let me fan you back!! I don't know why!!!?????

[Dan1902]

01:31 PM on 03/23/2011

No traction from his abuse LIE so now let the pandering begin!!! Sorry,Brown the people have seen your little tape with the Koch Brother!! Don't be fooled by this guy Massachusetts!

[Nevervotesrepublican]

01:52 PM on 03/23/2011

fanned

[Dan1902]

02:06 PM on 03/23/2011

Back at ya!