“Leaders in the House of Representatives are continuing their shameful attacks on women’s health with two unjustifiable initiatives that are as dangerous as they are unpopular.

The investigation by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations into Planned Parenthood is nothing short of harassment. It is designed to consume the time and money of a nonprofit organization that provides critically important health services to millions of women. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) launched this politically-motivated investigation, and he can and should end it without delay.

In addition, earlier this week Rep. Rehberg (R-MT), Chairman of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced a funding bill that would undermine key prevention initiatives and endanger women’s health. Driven by anti-choice ideology, this budget would eliminate Title X family planning services, eliminate all funding for Planned Parenthood, cut funds for comprehensive sex education while pouring millions of dollars into abstinence-only programs that do not work, ban private coverage of abortion in the state-based exchanges being created through health care reform, and cut critical federal support for maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS prevention. It must not become law.

Americans are counting on the Senate and President Obama to stand firm against extremist measures that would devastate women’s health. At a time when our economy is struggling, voters want lawmakers to focus on jobs and other priorities — not on advancing an anti-choice, anti-woman agenda.”