WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) yesterday cosponsored legislation to prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood while also protecting women’s health by directing the federal funds to other eligible entities that provide women's health care services. The legislation follows gruesome footage showcasing Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies.

“The recent comments of high-level Planned Parenthood employees are deeply disturbing and must not be tolerated on any level,” said Roberts. “Any organization that allows such abhorrent behavior should not receive any taxpayer dollars, and I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation that would ensure that no federal funds go to Planned Parenthood. Every life is a precious gift that we have a responsibility to protect.”

The legislation, S. 1881, would prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood or any of its affiliate organizations. It ensures the preservation of federal funding for women’s health services including relevant diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, immunization, family planning services including contraception, sexually transmitted disease testing, cervical and breast cancer. It ensures there is no reduction in overall funding available to support women’s health.

In addition to this legislation, Roberts last week sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, requesting that the agency review Planned Parenthood’s compliance with federal laws regulating both the use of fetal tissue and partial birth abortions. He is also a cosponsor of the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (S. 51), that prohibits federal family planning assistance funds from being allocated to an entity unless they can certify that they will not perform or promote abortions.

The legislation was introduced by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and was also cosponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-KS.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated that the Senate will vote on this legislation before departing for an extended state work period next month.

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