By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director
Gallagher@paprolife.org

U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, told the Associated Press that he will not support the effort in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, despite the recent controversy over the embattled organization.

Casey told the AP he would oppose legislation to end government funding for Planned Parenthood because “they provide all kinds of primary health care” for women and because of the federal ban on using federal money for nearly all abortions.

While Planned Parenthood has touted its breast cancer screenings, the organization does not provide mammograms. A recent Fox News report noted that the health care services provided by Planned Parenthood would also be available from primary care physicians under Obamacare.

Planned Parenthood has been embroiled in controversy for weeks following the release of undercover videos showing high-ranking Planned Parenthood doctors talking about financial compensation for aborted baby body parts. The videos also show Planned Parenthood doctors discussing manipulating abortion techniques to harvest baby organs, which would be a violation of federal law.

Casey has described himself as pro-life, but National Right to Life says his pro-life voting record is only 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Pat Toomey, is co-sponsoring legislation to defund Planned Parenthood and preserve federal funding for women’s health services.

“Recently, we have seen horrific videos further demonstrating that Planned Parenthood has an appalling disregard for human life,” said Sen. Toomey.  “While I support women’s health, there is no reason why taxpayers should be providing hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies each year to this organization.  Those dollars should instead be used to help community health centers or other organizations that provide affordable health care services to women. In addition, I hope the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services will investigate whether, indeed, the law banning the sale of body parts was broken by Planned Parenthood.”

Toomey circulated a letter to HHS Secretary Burwell and Attorney General Lynch asking the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Department of Justice, to conduct an investigation to determine whether Planned Parenthood violated any laws. Toomey also helped to circulate a letter to Burwell asking that she fully cooperate and assist with any investigation into Planned Parenthood as a result of the recent video revelations.