Romney: De-Fund Planned Parenthood, Komen Should Cut Funds

Politics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 7, 2012   |   11:21AM   |   Washington, DC

In an interview with a conservative radio talk show, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney weighed in on the feud between Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood — and the GOP hopeful said Komen should cut its ties.

As LifeNews reported last week, Komen initially decided in December to revise its grant-making process to funds grants to agencies that provide direct health services for women — which would eliminate Planned Parenthood since it does not do mammograms. After Planned Parenthood, Democratic members of Congress and the media pounced on Komen for its decision, Komen clarified that Planned Parenthood would still be allowed to submit grant requests but they may or may not be funded.

When asked by conservative talk radio host Scott Hennen in an interview about whether Komen should fund Planned Parenthood, Romney replied, “I don’t think so,” and then added that the federal government should pull any taxpayer funding from the abortion business.

“I also feel that the government should cut off funding to Planned Parenthood,” Romney told Hennen. “Look, the idea that we’re subsidizing an institution that provides abortion, in my view, is wrong. Planned Parenthood oughta stand on its own feet and should not get government subsidy.”

Romney also touted his pro-life credentials, saying, “I am a pro-life individual, I was a pro-life governor, I served as a pro-life governor, I’m a pro-life candidate. I simply do not want to participate in anything that takes the lives of an unborn child.”

Romney has called for de-funding Planned Parenthood previously.

In November, Romney had an opinion column in USA Today in which he advocated numerous ways to balance the federal budget, one of which involves eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood.

Romney proposes repealing Obamacare — which pro-life groups virtually unanimously opposed because of concerns related to taxpayer funding of abortions, rationing issues, and lack of conscience protections for pro-life medical workers. He says that will save $95 billion in 2016.

The fourth item on Romney’s list is one that will delight the pro-life voters he needs to secure the GOP nomination to face Obama:  “Eliminate Title X family planning programs benefiting abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.”

Romney previously pledged to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business in October during his speech before the Values Voter Summit.

“Our values must also encompass the life of an unborn child,” Romney told the thousands of pro-life advocates gathered for the Family Research Council event. “There are, of course, strong convictions on both sides of this issue. Yet it speaks well of our country that almost all Americans recognize that abortion is a problem.”

“The law may call it a right, but no one ever called it a good. And in the quiet of conscience, people of both political parties know that more than a million abortions a year can’t be squared with the good heart of America,” Romney said.

The former governor pivoted from a philosophical position to talking about his political views and what he would do if elected president.

“I support the Hyde Amendment, which broadly bars the use of federal funds for abortions,” Romney said, “As president, I’ll end federal funding for abortion advocates like Planned Parenthood. I’ll protect a health care worker’s right to follow their conscience in their work.”

“I will nominate judges who know the difference between personal opinion and law. It is long past time for the Supreme Court to return the issue of abortion back to the states by overturning Roe v. Wade,” he added.