Buddy Carter, U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia First District

This week I voted against legislation that would allow federal taxpayer dollars to continue flowing to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abortions. I cannot, in good conscience, support a single cent of taxpayer dollars going to a criminal enterprise like Planned Parenthood. We’ve known for some time that the group is the largest provider of abortions but the vile and disgusting acts uncovered in the recent videos are beyond belief. This tugs at the very moral fabric of our nation.

We must focus on making sure we are utilizing every tool to combat Planned Parenthood and bring those who committed these crimes to justice. Using the power of the purse is an important step in our continued fight to protect the unborn and ensure tax dollars are not going to organizations that support the practice of abortion and trafficking of aborted fetal tissue.

I also voted this week to defund Planned Parenthood for one year and to allow states to choose whether abortion providers can participate as providers in their Medicaid programs. This is the second time I supported legislation this Congress to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood until there is a thorough investigation of the organization.

Prior to the vote, I had the opportunity to demand answers from the President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, on the organization’s use of federal funding and taxpayer dollars during an Oversight and Government Reform Hearing. During questioning, I raised serious concerns about the excessive spending at the organization while government funding makes up 41 percent of their revenues.