A conservative lawmaker criticizing the Obama administration for proposing a new regulation that would prevent states from blocking funds to Planned Parenthood.
“We must use the full force of Congress and the grassroots strength of the national pro-life movement to defeat this absurd rule,” said Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., a staunch pro-life advocate.
Black was referring to a proposed rule for Title X funding, which are federal funds for family planning services, that is given to women’s health and abortion provider Planned Parenthood. The group is prohibited under federal law from using the funding for abortions and must use it for other family health services.
The proposed rule would prevent states from not sending Title X funding to Planned Parenthood. Several states have tried to block federal funding to the group after a series of undercover videos documented Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and donation of aborted fetal tissue.
Florida and Texas are two states that have pushed for blocking the funding.
Specifically, the rule prevents states from using criteria when giving out the money based on the “unrelated ability to deliver services to program beneficiaries in an effective manner.”
Black said she intends to lead a letter to the administration expressing the concerns about the proposed rule, which she said is a violation of states’ rights.
