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."