SHAHEEN: “Republicans in Congress do not have a mandate to defund Planned Parenthood”

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) held a press conference with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) this afternoon to address the Republican plan announced today to defund Planned Parenthood through budget reconciliation legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“Let me make one point very clear: Republicans in Congress do not have a mandate to defund Planned Parenthood,” said Senator Shaheen. “The American people want to see their elected leaders working together to expand healthcare opportunities, not undermining vital healthcare coverage that women in New Hampshire and across the country depend on. Defunding Planned Parenthood would leave thousands of women and families in New Hampshire without access to vital preventative care services that they need in order to live healthy lives, care for their families, and lead in the workforce. This is a dangerous, politically-motivated attack on women and I will not stand for it.”

Planned Parenthood in New Hampshire serves nearly 13,000 patients and ninety-four percent of services provided at NH Planned Parenthood health centers are prevention related, including services such as breast exams, cancer screenings, birth control services, and tetanus shots.

Senator Shaheen has been a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood throughout her career in the Senate, as New Hampshire’s Governor and as a state senator.