Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Monday he will vote to defund Planned Parenthood.
Last Tuesday, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst introduced legislation to federally defund Planned Parenthood. The bill quickly gained support among other Republican senators. The bill gained 44 co-sponsors through the week but no Democrats lent their support. (RELATED: Senate Republicans Introduce Bill To Defund Planned Parenthood)
Manchin issued the following statement ahead of the expected Monday Senate vote:
“Like many West Virginians, I am very troubled by the callous behavior of Planned Parenthood staff in recently released videos, which casually discuss the sale, possibly for profit, of fetal tissue after an abortion. Until these allegations have been answered and resolved, I do not believe that taxpayer money should be used to fund this organization; instead those funds should be sent to other health care providers, including community health centers, which provide important women’s healthcare services. While my vote is one that will prevent taxpayers dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, I will remain committed to ensuring that all women in West Virginia and America receive the health care services they need.”