As Congress argues the pros and cons of a sweeping piece of legislation addressing a long list of President Donald Trump's agenda items, the editor of LifeNews says his fellow pro-lifers ought to be fixated on one specific aspect of the bill.
"Now is a crucial time for pro-life people to begin calling members of Congress," Steven Ertelt tells AFN. "We have a big opportunity here – one of the best opportunities we've had in years – to finally defund Planned Parenthood with this 'big, beautiful bill,' as President Trump calls it."
The fact that the measure is progressing via the reconciliation process lowers the threshold in the Senate from 60 votes to 51 – effectively circumventing the filibuster – to defund Planned Parenthood with a majority vote.
"It's very, very difficult to get a two-thirds vote [in the Senate]," says Ertelt. "A majority vote is something that we can get in the Senate – but first we've got to get it through the House."
He contends even that, however, is shaping up to be a challenge.
"There are some recalcitrant Republicans who right now are saying that they're not interested in this bill, or at least not interested in defunding Planned Parenthood within the bill," he explains. "So, people need to get off the couch and get on the phones, get to their keyboards, fire off these emails, and tell members of Congress 'Vote to defund Planned Parenthood."
Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, questions the thinking of those Republicans reluctant to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood.
"Let that sink in," he writes. "Self-described pro-life lawmakers are ready to keep borrowing from your grandchildren to bankroll an organization that Congress has investigated for trafficking in baby body parts, an organization repeatedly accused of shielding sexual predators from justice."
The abortion giant continues to receive approximately $700 million annually in taxpayer funding. Various organizations have called on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, including AFA Action, Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America, and Students for Life.
