Toomey, Casey on Opposite Sides of Planned Parenthood Debate
Pat Toomey, left; Bob Casey Jr., right.
In recent weeks, a pro-life group has released several videotapes purporting to show Planned Parenthood officials haggling over the price their organization will be paid for fetal tissue, from abortions, that it provides to researchers. The tapes have sparked a new battle over federal support for the organization, and Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey Jr. find themselves on opposite sides.
“Toomey signed on Wednesday as a co-sponsor to legislation that would divert Planned Parenthood’s current support to other groups that provide women’s health services,” the Allentown Morning Call reports. “In a statement, Toomey described the clips, which sparked protests in Allentown and elsewhere across the country, as ‘horrific videos further demonstrating that Planned Parenthood has an appalling disregard for human life.'”
Casey opposes defunding the effort. “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,” the anti-abortion site LifeNews.com reports. “Casey has described himself as pro-life, but National Right to Life says his pro-life voting record is only 20 percent.”
The Senate is expected to vote on the de-funding bill next week.
