Senate Defeats Attack on Birth Control

Washington, D.C. –Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the defeat of an anti-family-planning amendment, authored by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), to the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill is a sign that the chamber is moving in the right direction on the nation's health-care priorities. The amendment failed by a vote of 41 – 52. 

"Thankfully, a majority of senators saw through this thinly veiled attack on contraception, and know that the American people are tired of this anti-choice hypocrisy," Keenan said.  "Sen. Vitter and his allies' attacks on birth control make no sense.  Better access to contraception prevents unintended pregnancy.  These anti-family-planning senators are on record voting to deny health care to women – and their constituents will not be pleased." 

The Vitter amendment would make any health center that provides abortion services, under almost any circumstances, ineligible for any health funding in the bill. This amendment is yet another attack on family-planning services, since health centers that offer abortion care are also very likely to provide family-planning services through the Title X grant program.  This amendment could dismantle entire networks of well-respected health-care providers. 

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032