FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2011
Contact: Ciara Matthews, (202) 630-7067
NEW HAMPSHIRE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FIGHTS OBAMA ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING
Washington, D.C. – The New Hampshire Executive Council has filed a formal protest with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Government Accountability Office following the Obama Administration’s award of a non-competitive $1 million dollar contract with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, which bypassed the state’s decision to reject taxpayer funding of the abortion giant.
“Planned Parenthood is currently under investigation for good reason,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B Anthony List. “Among other concerns, they have revealed a willingness to partner with those who traffic young girls and women as sexual commodities. That they claim entitlement to New Hampshire taxpayer funds against the wishes of taxpayers in the face of such scandal is truly breathtaking.”
Three members of the Council, as represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, requested that HHS declare the grant void, and write, “the Grant by HHS was improper, irregular, unnecessary, in contravention of the authority of the Executive Council and its duly elected members, and in disregard for the sovereignty of the State of New Hampshire.”
The Executive Council voted in June to cancel a $1.8 million dollar contract with Planned Parenthood, citing that taxpayers would be subsidizing, at least indirectly, Planned Parenthood’s abortion business. In July, SBA List held a rally in Concord, New Hampshire to show support for the Council’s vote, and urged them to stay the course despite pressure from Planned Parenthood lobbyists for a re-vote. Including New Hampshire, eight states have successfully defunded Planned Parenthood to the tune of nearly $60.4 million.
“From day one of his presidency, Obama has dramatically overreached on the abortion issue,” concluded Dannenfelser. “The President and Secretary Sebelius should set aside political loyalty to Planned Parenthood in favor of a state’s right to decide its own contract hires. The complaint affirms that the ‘Live Free or Die’ state won’t tolerate federal big-footing.”
