New Jersey Senator Won’t Let Post-Abortive Woman Testify

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 22, 2010   |   2:46PM   |   Trenton, NJ

The New Jersey state senator who is the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee prevented a post-abortive woman from testifying before the panel on the legislature’s attempt to fund Planned Parenthood.

On Monday, November 15, 2010, the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on Bill S239,sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Loretta Weinberg.

The measure, according to New Jersey Right to Life, requires the Department of Human Services to file a permanent waiver application to expand medicaid coverage to persons up to 200% of the poverty level for family planning services.

Darlene Dunn, signed up to testify on the bill, which was released from committee by a 8-5 vote along party lines.

But, as NJRTL director Marie Tasy explains, the committee chairman, Senator Paul Sarlo “would not allow her to testify because she stated that she had an abortion.”

“She was treated disrespectfully and ordered to turn off her microphone after several attempts to provide her personal experience with Planned Parenthood,” Tasy explains.

“Ironically, the Anti Bullying Bill of Rights legislation was scheduled and released from committees on the same day,” Tasy added. “Senator Sarlo and Senator Weinberg are sponsors of that bill also.”

Ultimately, all five Republicans on the panel voted against the bill and Senators Oroho, Doherty, Pennacchio all spoke out against funding Planned Parenthood, the nation’s biggest abortion business.

The Assembly has scheduled two bills, A3273 and A3274, to fund family planning/Planned Parenthood clinics for a vote before the full Assembly today.

The measures are a response to the veto pro-life Gov. Chris Christie issued, saying the state didn’t have the extra funds to be sending the abortion giant in a difficult economy.  [related]

One New Jersey Planned Parenthood center closed after Christie shut off funding.

Listen to the audio of Dunn getting denied the opportunity to testify here. When the page opens, click on Senate Budget, November 15.  A box will pop up on the top left hand side.  Darlene’s testimony is from 41:12-45:36.