New Jersey Legislature Passes Bill Funding Planned Parenthood, Blocks Pro-Lifer From Testifying

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jun 30, 2016   |   4:19PM   |   Trenton, NJ

The New Jersey legislature passed a bill this week to force taxpayers to fund the abortion giant Planned Parenthood to the tune of $7.4 million.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie repeatedly has cut funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business — slashing millions in taxpayer funds for a group that was caught engaging in fraud using taxpayer dollars. Christie, who is pro-life, vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times before he ran for re-election in a state that is not known as a bastion of conservatism.

However, two Democrat-backed funding bills that would put millions back into the abortion giant’s hands passed the state Senate and Assembly on Monday, according to New Jersey Right to Life.

SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately

The bills, A3492/S2277 and A1963/S1017, would funnel more than $7.4 million through the state Department of Health to Planned Parenthood for family planning services, said Marie Tasy, executive director of the pro-life organization.

“These are the same two bills that certain lawmakers have been pushing to get funded ever since Governor Christie eliminated funds in the budget for Planned Parenthood back in 2010,” Tasy said. “Thankfully, Governor Christie has stood strong and vetoed these measures every time.”

She urged New Jersey residents to call Gov. Christie’s office to thank him for standing up against Planned Parenthood funding in the past and to urge him to do so again.

Tasy testified against the funding bills on June 23 during an Assembly budget committee meeting, but she said pro-abortion Democrats tried to censor the truth from the public eye.

“I was repeatedly and rudely shouted at and gaveled down by the Chair, Asm. Gary Schaer, and only given about 1 minute and a half to provide remarks while PP officials were allowed to provide testimony uninterrupted and were even praised and thanked by the Chair,” Tasy said. “Our comments did not make it into the news coverage even though our written remarks were provided to the press.”

The taxpayer dollars that used to go to Planned Parenthood currently fund federally qualified health centers in New Jersey that offer comprehensive health care to women and families.

“Everything from cancer screenings and mammograms for women to prostate cancer screenings for men to diabetes treatment and to everything in between that can lead folks to greater healthcare available to them and can lead to greater health results for each and every person who walks through the door,” Gov. Christie said previously.

Christie previously said he would not compromise on funding the abortion business.

“When they send me Planned Parenthood funding year after year after year – I am the first governor to ever veto Planned Parenthood funding out of the budget …” he said during a conservative political conference.

The state defunded the abortion giant after it was found engaging in fraudulent Medicaid activity in New Jersey.

The U.S. Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services uncovered a consistent problem with New Jersey-based family planning clinics run by the Planned Parenthood abortion business. A government audit found that they were improperly billing Medicaid for services that did not qualify as family planning.

An initial audit revealed New Jersey improperly received federal reimbursement at the enhanced 90% rate for 160,955 prescription drug claims that were billed as family planning, but did not qualify as family planning services. A letter from the Inspector General to New Jersey officials recommended that New Jersey repay $2,219,746 to the federal government.

The state eventually did return the $2.9 million to the federal government.

Action: Contact Gov. Chris Christie here to thank him for vetoing past Planned Parenthood funding bills and to urge him to do so again.

defundplannedparenthood2