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Rep. Gosar to Planned Parenthood CEO Richards: “Your Organization is Profiting Off of Death”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after participating in a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing investigating Planned Parenthood’s Taxpayer Funding:

For Immediate Release

Date: September 29, 2015

Contact: Steven D. Smith

Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after participating in a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing investigating Planned Parenthood’s Taxpayer Funding:

“The simple truth is that Planned Parenthood, masquerading as a non-profit, has strategically developed a business model to profit off the death of innocent unborn babies. The recent videos released by the Center for Medical Progress have lifted the curtain on this horrific operation and exposed it to the American public. With $127 million in excess revenue for 2014 alone, Planned Parenthood has become efficient in fundraising, throwing elaborate parties, funneling kickbacks and contributions to Democrats and other organizations that support their causes, and paying excessive salaries to their senior officials, all while milking taxpayers for approximately $500 million annually.  

“Despite the ruthless accusations from Planned Parenthood and its accomplices claiming a ‘war on women’, the only casualties of this ‘war’ are the millions of innocent babies who have had the life crushed out of them. This abhorrent practice contradicts the American spirit of protecting innocent life and is only made worse by Planned Parenthood’s record of giving millions in campaign donations to Democrats in order to protect this cycle of death.

“There is a very simple solution to this issue: the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that Planned Parenthood receives every year should go to the thousands of public health clinics around the country that provide important health services without performing abortions. Planned Parenthood has proven that it has more than enough revenue to cover the annual taxpayer dollars it receives. There is simply no justification for requiring American taxpayers to pay for aborting the lives of innocent babies.” 

 Click the picture above to watch Congressman Gosar question Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards

Background:

According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, Planned Parenthood’s own reports show significant reductions in pre-natal services (80% decrease since 2004) and cancer screenings (57% decrease since 2006), while significantly increasing the number of abortions performed (12% increase since 2004). Planned Parenthood has brought in $765.7 million in excess revenues from 2005-2014, including $127 million in excess revenue in 2014 alone.

Background Courtesy of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee:
In the five years of tax returns provided to the Committee, Planned Parenthood Federation of America transferred funding from its 501(c)(3), which is restricted in the amount of lobbying it may conduct, to its 501(c)(4), which may conduct lobbying as its primary activity. This practice appears to be widespread. Planned Parenthood transferred millions each year and its affiliates likewise transferred hundreds of thousands of dollar to related 501(c)(4)s and PACs.

Planned Parenthood spent $5,109,997 on travel in 2013. That is nearly $14,000 per day.

Planned Parenthood’s annual gala dinner features Hollywood celebrities and musicians.  According to their own tax returns, Planned Parenthood spent $608,716 on blowouts in 2012 and 2013.

Planned Parenthood’s tax returns make clear that the highest paid individuals make substantial salaries, which is odd considering how reliant on taxpayer funding the organization is.  Cecile Richard’s total compensation last year was $590,928.  A medical Director at Planned Parenthood’s Affiliate for Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, made $459,827 for 2013. A President and CEO at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, made $439,107 for 2013

Background Courtesy of the Republican Study Committee:
Earlier this year, the Center for Medical Progress released a series of undercover investigative videos that allege to show Planned Parenthood employees discussing the harvesting and sale of aborted fetal tissue. There are currently nine such videos that depict Planned Parenthood employees appearing to discuss changes in abortion procedures to obtain certain organs, price negotiations for different tissues, and a lack of informed consent from patients. Planned Parenthood represents the largest abortion provider in the nation, performing over 325,000 abortions per year, and receives over $500 million in tax payer funding.

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