Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015. This bill is possibly the most dangerous bill for women's health to come to the House floor of this Congress.

State and Federal investigations of Planned Parenthood have produced no evidence of violations of laws or medical standards, and independent auditors confirm the videos referenced were heavily altered.

What really happens in Planned Parenthood clinics every year is this: 2.7 million Americans receive critical health services, 78 percent of which live below the poverty level; doctors deliver approximately 400,000 pap smear exams; and women receive nearly half a million breast exams, including screenings to 88,000 women whose cancer was detected early.

This legislation threatens those services and the health of patients, including 7,000 women in my district annually who rely on Planned Parenthood for health care.

As a woman, mother, and breast cancer survivor, I refuse to take that threat lying down. Republicans' own investigations turned up nothing; yet some of their Members are willing to risk women's lives just to score political points. Enough is enough.

I urge all Members who truly value women's health to vote against this outrageous witch hunt.

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