WASHINGTON (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn is lending her voice to efforts to defund Planned Parenthood following the release of videos showing some of the organization’s top officials discussing the harvesting of fetal tissues.
In reaction to Republican efforts, Democrats have this week withdrawn a bill that would have expanded fertility services for wounded veterans. The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Patty Murray of Washington, complained that Republicans were attaching amendments to her bill attacking women’s health programs.
Speaking on the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Blackburn says she was horrified by the videos.
“And in their own words, talk about setting the price, negotiating, dealing with the tissue brokers. It is the most abhorrent and inhumane statements and words and conduct.”
The legislative battle comes as an anti-abortion group this week released a second secretly recorded video tape showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing how they provide fetal organs for research.