GOP tries to defund Planned Parenthood... again

It's a topic that comes up in every Congress. So as the 113th Congress kicks off this week, it should come as no surprise that a bill to revoke abortion provider Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding has been re-introduced in the House of Representatives.

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Thank you, Rep. Marsha Blackburn:

Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, is picking up the Planned parenthood de-funding mantle from former Congressman Mike Pence, who was elected as Indiana’s governor and was the prime sponsor of the bill House Republicans approved and Senate Democrats defeated.

Blackburn informed LifeNews today that she has introduced the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (H.R. 61), which would stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from providing federal family planning assistance under Title X to abortion businesses until they certify they won’t provide and refer for abortions. ...

“Congressman Pence has been a champion in the fight to protect innocent human life and I hope to continue his leadership in the House,” Blackburn said. “As a woman, I believe America deserves better than abortion. America shouldn’t celebrate abortion and our taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood, who profit from the destruction of human life with taxpayer money. It’s fiscally irresponsible and morally indefensible.”

Blackburn serves as vice chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee which oversees Title X legislation.  Title X's family planning program grants the abortion provider hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

Blackburn's bill will likely pass through the House of Representatives, but with a Democratic majority in the Senate, isn't likely to reach the president's desk again this year.