In Arkansas, a Democratic legislator has changed his party affiliation largely because of his party’s support for Planned Parenthood in light of revelations about their organ harvesting business.
On August 19th, The Center for Medical Progress released a seventh video catching the abortion company harvesting the brain of an aborted baby who was still alive. Previous videos show Planned Parenthood’s top executives haggling over the cost of aborted babies’ body parts and discussing ways to alter abortion procedures to procure “fully-intact human cadavers.”
Rep. Mike Holcomb of Pine Buff said the following about his change in party affiliation: “I’ve chosen to join the Republican Party because I firmly believe that the conservative values they represent best align with my own personal beliefs and convictions.” He added, “I believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in traditional marriage. I believe in helping Arkansans. Moving forward, I am excited to caucus and work with my fellow Republican legislators as we focus on Arkansas—her needs, values, and future.”
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately
Rep. Holcomb served the state of Arkansas as a Jefferson Country District Judge and spent 28 years in public education. In the state, he represents District 10, which includes parts of Cleveland, Jefferson, Grant, Lincoln and Drew counties. Currently, he is the vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Transportation.
ABC News reports that Rep. Holcomb’s decision to switch parties will give Republicans a 64-35-1 majority in the House and a 24-11 majority in the Senate. In 2012, Republicans took control of the Arkansas House and Senate. However, state Rep. Linda Collins-Smith was the last Democrat to switch to the Republican Party in the state and a few locally elected officials have changed party affiliation earlier this year.
At a press conference announcing Rep. Holcomb’s switch, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said the state Democratic party could no longer distinguish itself from the national Democratic party’s extreme views on abortion. He said, “They can’t make the case that there’s a difference any more.”
As LifeNews previously reported, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he is ending state Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood’s abortion business even though the Obama administration is threatening states that are doing so. In fact, Gov. Hutchinson directed the Department of Human Services to end its existing contracts with Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.
Earlier this month, Utah became the fifth state to cut off state funding of the abortion company by ending its contract with Planned Parenthood for services to residents covered by Medicaid. Utah follows Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and New Hampshire.
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must Investigate Planned Parenthood for Selling Aborted Baby Parts
Additionally, 12 states have already launched investigations into Planned Parenthood including South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana.
