September 4, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — The GOP's capitulation on defunding Planned Parenthood is now essentially complete– and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky led the retreat.
Defunding America's abortion giant was never going to be easy. Even without the politics, the complex funding mechanisms make such a task Herculean.
But McConnell didn't even try. Back in July, he went for a show vote instead of attaching Planned Parenthood funding to a transportation bill that both parties considered “must-pass” legislation. And in early August, he indicated that the GOP should accept blame if the government partially shut down because of a funding fight — and said a partial shutdown wouldn't go over well for the GOP.
Just this week, he said we'd have to wait for a pro-life president before making a real push to defund.
I suppose that's that. The Senate is going to have a show vote in September on the 20-week ban, which will allow Republicans to crow about how they tried to defund Planned Parenthood and ban most abortions after 20 weeks, but those dastardly Democrats stopped them.
Sorry, folks. That won't cut it. Blaming Democrats after the votes means nothing.
Where was McConnell a month ago? He was blaming Republicans if the government shut down instead of demanding that Democrats stop trying to shut the government down. Indeed, rather than highlight the law-breaking of Democrats — the party that wants to force you to fund chopping babies apart for profit — McConnell opened wide the door to blaming the GOP.
Even Black's spokesperson was mixed, telling me that “allowing President Obama and Congressional Democrats to trigger a government shutdown – an outcome that they undoubtedly want to happen – does not raise awareness of this issue.”
Click “like” if you are PRO-LIFE!
According to Emily Schillinger, Press Secretary to House Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, “no one supports defunding [Planned Parenthood] more than the Speaker.”
But Schillinger declined to answer two questions about how to frame the debate and how far the speaker is willing to go to fight for defunding. Instead, she told me that “leaders will discuss with our members about how and when after Congress returns in September.”
It is true that public support is behind Planned Parenthood until people watch the videos, and both chambers of Congress are going to investigate the abortion giant. And I actually believe that Boehner is sincerely pro-life, and wants to defund Planned Parenthood. As Schillinger said, “the ongoing congressional investigations are so crucial” because “the more Americans learn about Planned Parenthood’s horrific practices, the harder it will be for Democrats to defend them.”
But does anyone really believe Republicans will make a stand to defund unless it is a piece of political cake? This is a group that increased Planned Parenthood's funding under George Bush, and has broken major promises on the Affordable Care Act, immigration, and spending.
As LifeSiteNews U.S. Bureau Chief Ben Johnson noted when talking to Dana Loesch about Jeb Bush — who is unquestionably pro-life — the question is one of priority. And, clearly, McConnell and Boehner, among others in their party, have declined to prioritize saving babies and their mothers from abortion, and the taxpayers from funding Planned Parenthood's illegal and immoral business practices.