Kasich signs “defund Planned Parenthood” bill

Ohio Governor John Kasich signed the bill that removes $1.3 million in federal funding from Planned Parenthood yesterday despite calls for a veto from legislative Democrats and women’s health groups.

Because federal and state law prevents taxpayer money from being used to fund abortions, the money supports initiatives for HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and prevention of violence against women. However, backers of the bill say that any funding to the organization encourages abortions to be performed.

The bill does not specifically name Planned Parenthood, but instead defunds organizations that perform or promote abortions. Opponents say that Planned Parenthood will be the organization most affected.

2/10/16: The bill has cleared the House and is headed to Kasich’s desk.

The bill that would remove all state funding from women’s health organization Planned Parenthood is expected to pass the Ohio House of Representatives today and be signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich.

The signing of the bill comes a day after the New Hampshire primary election, where moderate voters might have voiced displeasure with the decision. Kasich is now in South Carolina, where the signing of the bill could help him appeal to more conservative voters.

The bill has already passed the Ohio Senate, making the Ohio House the last hurdle before it gets to Kasich’s desk.

Critics say that state and federal money is not allowed to be used for abortions, so there is no point in taking away money used for other women’s health services, while proponents say any funding encourages Planned Parenthood to perform abortions.

Most of Planned Parenthood’s funding comes from fees for services performed and donations. Currently, the $1.3 million in state funding represents 7 percent of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio’s budget, and 4.5 percent of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s budget.

Check back later for to-the-minute updates on the bill’s status.

UPDATE: Though the bill passed the Senate, it still has to pass through the House. Instead of addressing the bill yesterday, the House adjourned, meaning that Ohio Representatives won’t have the chance to vote on it until they return to the Statehouse on February 9.

The bill is delayed for now, though it is expected to pass the house and be signed into law by Gov. Kasich.

The Ohio Senate voted to defund Planned Parenthood today, passing a bill that would redirect the $1.3 million previously allotted to the women’s health agency to health centers and clinics that do not perform abortions.

Over 50 opponents of the bill were expecting to testify in front of a senate committee, but all testimonies were limited to two minutes and enforced with a timer. The panel was asked to hold its questions until the end of the testimony.

Opponents told the committee that passage of the bill would not even address abortion, because federal and state law prohibit the usage of state funding for that purpose, according to the Toledo Blade.

The three proponents of the bill (who were given no speaking time limit) argued the evils of abortion, citing the infamously discredited videos that claimed Planned Parenthood sold fetal tissue.

In the end, the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee voted 22-8 along party lines in favor of the bill. Now the bill heads to the Ohio House of Representatives, which is also controlled by Republicans.

Gov. Kasich is expected to sign the bill into law if it passes through the House, as he has touted on the presidential campaign trail.

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