Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) Opposes Cutting Funding Of Planned Parenthood
By gladys46
@gladys46 (1205)
United States
March 11, 2011 7:00pm CST
In an article appearing in Politico, Lisa Murkowski has come out in opposition to the House's attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, making her the first Republican senator to do so. Murkowski writes in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chair Thad Cochran (R-Miss): "I believe Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with their funding cuts in the bill." "I ask you to consider these programs going forward to determine if there is room for allowing continued funding."
In an e-mail to a constituent, Murkowski expanded on her position, also taking shots at the House Republicans' attempts to end funding for Title X, the only federal program dedicated to reproductive health issues. In that e-mail she writes: "I do believe that Planned Parenthood provides vital services to those in need and disagree with its funding cuts contained in the H.R.1 package, "From 2002-2008, Planned Parenthood received $342 million in federal taxpayer money through Title X funding alone. With these funds, Planned Parenthood has provided women throughout the U.S. with important family planning and contraceptive services as well as screening for breast and cervical cancers for low-income women. I believe it is important that Title X organizations continue to receive funding. In Alaska, this includes five centers -- two health department clinics, two Planned Parenthood clinics in Sitka and Soldfna and one independent clinic."
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Is this a reasoned, smart female republican?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
12 Mar 11
Well Democrats Dan Boren, Okla., Jerry Costello, Ill., Joe Donnelly, Dan Lipinski, Ill., Mike McIntyre, N.C., Collin Peterson, Minn., Nick Rahall, W.Va., Silvestre Reyes, Tex., Mike Ross, Ark., and Heath Shuler, N.C. voted to cut funding to Planned Parenthood, so I'd say those were reasoned, smart democrats.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
15 Mar 11
Yes, but they can't just vote to cut Planned Parenthood alone or it would be deemed unconstitutional punishment of one organization like what happened when ACORN was defunded. As such the best move is to axe the Title X funding, and then make groups reapply so they can say no to Planned Parenthood. For some reason people think PP is entitled to taxpayer dollars and cutting them off would be punishment.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Mar 11
Saw there wasn't a response yet and decided to get this discussion started for you so it wouldn't languish in the 'no response' category. 
My response is, SO?
My response is, SO? @debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Mar 11
She may or may not be, and she's entitled to her opinions same as the rest of us. What are you trying to prove here, that a republican can be as wrong as a democrat?
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 Mar 11
No argument from me on that. I told you, I am not a republican. And I am secure in my beliefs. They do not hinge on party line, even IF I was a republican.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Mar 11
Yes, it most certainly is although there are many issues on which I disagree with her. She's definitely not an extreme right-winger which is why she faced a tough primary challenge from Sarah Palin's handpicked candidate who turned our to be much too extreme for the people of her state. I think her write-in victory says a lot about what the people of Alaska think of her.
One thing she pointed out that I don't think many here are even aware of, and that's the fact that Title X isn't just Planned Parenthood but also health department clinics and other facilities. I can imagine in a state like Alaska there are lots of women who don't have access to "female" health are without clinics like this. Senator Murkowski is trying to do right by the women of her state and of the nation not only as a Republican Senator but also as a woman and I applaud her for it.
Annie
