[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 124 (Monday, August 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S6214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PLANNED PARENTHOOD

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the revelations we have seen from 
Planned Parenthood are deeply disturbing. They raise fundamental 
questions about what kind of society we want to be, so I want to thank 
Senators Ernst, Paul, Lankford, and a number of others, for accepting 
my invitation to lead the effort on the Senate's response.
  The legislation they worked to develop is all about restoring 
America's commitment to care and to compassion. It would fund women's 
health, not Planned Parenthood, and we will take a vote to advance it 
tonight. Instead of subsidizing a political group, this bill would 
protect Federal funding for health services for women. Instead of 
subsidizing a political group, this bill would ensure funds continue to 
flow to community health centers and hospitals that provide more 
comprehensive health services and may have many more facilities 
nationwide. Instead of subsidizing a political group, this bill would 
help women receive health services, such as screenings, prenatal and 
post-natal care, well-child care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology 
services, immunizations, and other care they need. That is a true 
commitment to women's health. That is real compassion.
  I know Democrats have relied on Planned Parenthood as an ally 
recently, but they must be moved by the horrifying images we have all 
seen. They must be shocked by the utter lack of compassion that has 
been on display. They must care about women's health as much as they 
care about some scandal-plagued political organization. That is why 
tonight I am asking them to truly reflect on what is important. I am 
asking them not to block this funding for women's health just to 
protect some political group mired in scandal. Women deserve better, 
and our country deserves better.

                          ____________________