GOP Adds Anti-Abortion Funding Bill to Monday's Agenda

By Stephanie Samuel, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, January 09, 2011

House Republicans introduced legislation Friday that would prohibit abortion providers from receiving federal funds.

Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana introduced the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act rounding up the GOP's pro-life agenda for this coming week. The bill has 122 co-sponsors.

"I am grateful for the support of more than 122 original co-sponsors of this important legislation and look forward to voting to enact the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act," Pence announced in a statement.

Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing family planning services such as screenings and preventative services such as emergency contraceptives, birth control and abortions for low-income families. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the largest recipient of Title X funding.

It is unclear how much PPFA has received from the family planning provision. However PPFA reported having received $363 million in government grants and contract in 2008. If passed, the legislation would likely take millions of dollars away from groups like Planned Parenthood.

"The Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act will prevent any family planning funds under Title X from going to Planned Parenthood or other organizations that perform abortions. It will ensure that abortion providers are not being subsidized with federal tax dollars," announced Pence.

The act will join the health care reform repeal to significantly reduce that amount of tax payer money that goes to abortion providers.

According to an advanced copy of the repeal legislation, U.S. House Republicans are calling for the full repeal of the law mandating health care for all, as well as provisions mandating full coverage for preventive measures similar to those funded through Title X.

Republicans have also created a companion bill that would mandate that committees put forth proposals that could replace Obama's Health Care Reform. All three bills will be considered next week.