NEW YORK, December 5, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — In a speech that criticized President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed to make sure the city would pay for women to abortions in the event that Planned Parenthood is defunded.
In one of several defiant responses to Trump’s developing domestic policy, de Blasio said, “If there are threats to federal funding for Planned Parenthood in New York City, we will ensure women receive health care they need.”
Later, the mayor tweeted, “I want to be clear: If GOP threatens federal funding for Planned Parenthood of NYC, we will ensure women receive the healthcare they need.”
I want to be clear: If GOP threatens federal funding for Planned Parenthood of NYC, we will ensure women receive the healthcare they need.
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) December 3, 2016
But as The Resurgent reported, “If the feds cut the funding, New York’s mayor says they’ll cover the costs. That means they have the money and there is no reason for federal funding to be kept.”
Responses to de Blasio's tweet flooded social media. Many concluded that if federal tax funding for Planned Parenthood is not needed, the abortion giant should be defunded.
“So you're actually saying that you don't need federal funding?” Ryan Comerford tweeted. “Got it.”
@BilldeBlasio So you're actually saying that you don't need federal funding? Got it.
— Ryan Comerford (@Ryan_Comerford) December 3, 2016
“NY state has a large enough tax base to operate very well without money from flyover America,” John Sevigny tweeted.
@Ryan_Comerford @BilldeBlasio NY state has a large enough tax base to operate very well without money from flyover America.
— john.sevigny.photo (@John_Sevigny) December 3, 2016
Jarrett Hoskins tweeted, “So you're saying leave it to the states? DEAL!!!!!”
@BilldeBlasio So you're saying leave it to the states? DEAL!!!!! @MattWalshBlog
— Jarret Hoskins (@JarretHoskins) December 3, 2016
“Perfect. Cut that funding, Don,” Miguel San Marcos responded.
Perfect. Cut that funding, Don https://t.co/2GzFWiT4gE
— Miguel San Marcos (@Burkealurk) December 3, 2016
Other tweets said much the same thing:
“So you're saying you don't need federal funding?”
“Cool. So you agree federal funding isn't needed then?”
“Awesome, you don't need Federal Funds, as it should be!!”
“Great point! No federal funding is needed!”
“@BilldeBlasio So you don't need Federal Funding? Great!”
“Good news! Abortion supporters don't need federal funding anymore”
“Great, so we can defund PP! Good talk.”
“Awesome. No more federal dollars for @PPact Thanks @BilldeBlasio !!!”
“Fine. Then we don’t need federal funding of Planned Parenthood.”
“@BilldeBlasio so you don't need federal money? Good.”
“That’s the way it should be. If you want to pay for abortions yourself, feel free. No federal funds.”
Eric Phillips, de Blasio's press secretary, backpedaled from his boss' promise, saying city funding “depends on the nature of any cut. What the mayor committed to is protecting the care Planned Parenthood provides … It’s impossible to forecast the nature of any required City involvement.”
The nation's largest city already gives Planned Parenthood $850,000 a year in grants in addition to between $75,000 to $400,000 annually in capital grants, according to figures reported by the Gotham Gazette.
Besides pointing out that DeBlasio's promise means federal funds are not needed for Planned Parenthood, other tweeters, like David LB, corrected the mayor:
“I want to be clear: Dear Mr. Mayor, murdering BABIES is NOT 'healthcare.'”
I want to be clear: Dear Mr. Mayor…murdering BABIES is NOT “healthcare.” https://t.co/YAlBS5xlIN
— David L B (@dlb703) December 3, 2016