Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey made the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to give an annual grant of $395,000 to Planned Parenthood Memphis:
"By funneling federal tax dollars to abortion providers in Tennessee, Barack Obama has proven once again why he needs to be defeated for a second term. Tennessee has taken a stand against Planned Parenthood's pro-abortion shell game and defunded these organizations for a reason. This money is a clear attempt to subvert the actions of state government and prop up a culture of death on the decline.
The need for pro-life leadership in the White House has never been stronger."
The Susan B. Anthony List, a national pro-life organization, also criticized the Obama Administration for awarding the federal funds, saying it was "bypassing the will of the Tennessee legislature and governor."
The grant announcement was made today by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), a longtime ally of Planned Parenthood.
“From day one of his presidency, Obama has gone to extremes to support Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. “He has refused to yield in the face of Planned Parenthood’s scandals including their exposure as an ally of alleged human traffickers and as willing to turn a blind eye to sex-selective abortion in their clinics. Additionally, it defies reason to send more federal funds to an organization that has been found culpable in the waste, abuse, and potential fraud of millions of taxpayer dollars.
“Clearly, protecting Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funded bottom line – and not protecting women and girls – is President Obama’s top priority. Come November, the SBA List will work to ensure voters remember this at the ballot box.”
Last year, Governor Bill Haslam urged local public health departments in Memphis and Nashville to accept all available Title X funds, an effort which successfully ended Title X funding for Tennessee’s Planned Parenthood facilities, when Shelby County commissioners ultimately voted to, instead, award its Title X funds to Christ Community Health, which does not provide or promote abortion.
“While we are disappointed that any tax funding would be directed to private organizations promoting and profiting from the killing of unborn children, this end run around the people of Tennessee will serve to underscore the urgent need to elect a pro-life president, Senate and Congress in November,” said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.