Press Releases

GOP-led federal government shutdown over Planned Parenthood funding looms

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement after recent reports showing that Planned Parenthood did not violate national or state laws or medical standards:

“The Republican male-led political witch hunt against Planned Parenthood has come up with no evidence that Planned Parenthood violated national or state laws or medical standards. In Washington, a Democratic committee staff report based on facts from an ongoing investigation led by Republicans found no evidence to support these discredited allegations against Planned Parenthood. In Florida, Governor Scott’s office attempted to hide findings from his own regulators that Planned Parenthood did not violate state laws or medical standards. These failures to find wrongdoing at Planned Parenthood come just weeks after independent auditors found that the videos in question had been heavily doctored. Their claims are false, and I join many Americans in condemning these malicious attacks. What no one can deny is Planned Parenthood’s contributions to the health and wellness of 2.7 million patients annually – they have saved thousands of lives.

“These false and widely-discredited attacks from Republican men against a women’s health organization are abhorrent and reckless – but their recklessness will not stop there. By openly linking a government shutdown to the politically-motivated defunding of Planned Parenthood, 28 of my male Republican colleagues are putting women’s health and our nation’s economy at risk. I hope this unwarranted, disturbing obsession ends short of a government shutdown, but I won’t hold my breath.”

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To read a full copy of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s staff report, please click here.

To read news reports about Governor Scott’s attempts to hide evidence about Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, see below:

• POLITICO Florida: “Scott’s office scrubbed release that cleared Planned Parenthood”
• Sun Sentinel: “Gov. Scott shows huge aversion to transparency”

Contact:

Sean Bartlett, Sean.Bartlett@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931