The Republican leadership of the US Senate is clearly insane. In hours, the body is slated to cast a vote on a bill to defund Planned Parenthood.
This is happening despite the fact that the organization is not — repeat, NOT — selling fetal tissue or “baby parts.”
This is happening despite investigations in blue Massachusetts and red Indiana (you remember, the right-wing “religious liberty” state) that turned up no wrongdoing and no violations of the law on the health provider’s part.
This is happening despite the obvious truth that the four undercover sting videos by the right-wing Center for Medical Progress clearly are part of a chilling, orchestrated hoax to make PP appear guilty of something it is not doing.
This is happening despite a judge’s ruling blocking the release of more of these baseless, malicious videos.
The Senate vote is happening because many in the GOP want Planned Parenthood dead, period, regardless of the facts.
Salon lists them:
• Planned Parenthood is not selling fetus parts for profit or otherwise.
• Only three percent of Planned Parenthood’s activities involve abortions.
• Per the Hyde Amendment, no federal funds can be used for abortions. And there’s no evidence that Planned Parenthood has done so.
• Consequently, de-funding Planned Parenthood would put into jeopardy its ability to save lives and, germane to this issue, prevent abortions.
As Salon notes, the Senate vote “is nothing more than a brazen ideological attack on women’s access to comprehensive reproductive health care.” It is more proof that the Republican Party does not care about women’s health and is actively engaged in war against women. We need to stand and speak out NOW.