Click here or on the image above to view video of Senator Fischer’s remarks at today’s press conference.

WASHINGTON – Yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to introduce legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. This legislation comes on the heels of appalling new videos showing the organization’s role in harvesting baby body parts. Fischer joined several of the bill’s original cosponsors this afternoon at a press conference to discuss the legislation.

Senator Fischer released the following statement:

“I am disgusted by these revelations and proud to join Senator Ernst in offering legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. We must put an immediate end to these horrific practices. Rather than funding a scandal-plagued organization, taxpayer money should be used to support health centers that truly prioritize women’s health.”

This legislation (S. 1881) preserves federal funding for women’s health services, including relevant diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, and immunization. Additionally, the bill preserves funding for family planning services such as contraception, sexually transmitted disease testing, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and referrals.

Funds no longer available to Planned Parenthood will be offered to federally-qualified health centers and other entities that provide women’s health-care services.

 KEY PROVISIONS OF S. 1881:

· Prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and any of its affiliate organizations.

· Protects federal funding for health services for women, including diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and more.

· Ensures there is no reduction in overall federal funding available to support women’s health.

Last week, Senator Fischer joined 49 of her colleagues in a letter to HHS Secretary Burwell, drawing attention to the legal, ethical, and policy issues raised in the videos. They called on HHS Secretary Burwell to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations into these questions.

Click here to read the text of S. 1881.

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