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Almost as odd as an American President endorsing the right of same-sex couples to marry today, was the sight of a Republican member of Congress holding a press conference to announce legislation to guarantee funding of Planned Parenthood. But that happened today as well.
Rep. Robert Dold, who represents the liberal suburbs of Chicago, on Wednesday unveiled the “Protecting Women’s Access to Health Care Act” outside the Capitol, which would forbid agencies and governments from denying Title X funds to a qualified organization.
“As a pro-choice Republican, I believe that this legislation is critical because it ensures nondiscrimination within the federal Title X family planning program,” Dold told reporters, standing alongside a Planned Parenthood official and the leader of a pro-choice Republican group.
The move follows a sustained GOP assault on Planned Parenthood over the fact that it performs abortions. House Republicans last year voted to deny the women’s health provider family planning funds, even though the funds are strictly to be used for non-abortion services — like breast exams and mammograms — that constitute most of Planned Parenthood’s work.
As always, there’s a backstory here. Democrats gerrymandered Illinois to within an inch of its life, and Dold faces Brad Schneider for his re-election in what amounts to a blue seat. (This was the district where Ilya Sheyman lost the primary to Schneider.) So he has to do something to moderate his views and save his skin in November.
Still, this is pretty out of character. Over the past several months, you simply have not seen anyone in the Republican Party willing to defend Planned Parenthood. In fact, they’ve all been champing at the bit to defund it. But Dold has actually been consistent on this issue. He opposed the amendment to defund Planned Parenthood back in March, the only Republican to speak out against it.
I don’t know that this saves Dold in November, but it’s certainly rare in this partisan age to see anyone willing to take on their own party on a matter like this. And I’m sure Planned Parenthood welcomes the support.
More here.
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Wow. Thanks for the heads up, David. Dold is currently my congresscritter, thanks to the redistricting you mentioned. He is a product of the Tea Party who has been desperately trying to re-brand himself as a “moderate” until the election. Schneider is terrible–supported by Steny Hoyer and Melissa Bean, two of the worst faux Dems to come along. This move by Dold tells you everything you need to know about politicians–they all suck.
This won’t save him unless it passes.
Since when is Sen Mark Kirk’s old district Liberal these are Corporate Wing Republicans they are not Fundy crazy but they are Crazy just in a pro bank screw the poor kind of way.
Got a friend who delivered newspapers in that district $100 tips at Christmas were common 3 years delivering papers my last year I made 1 $100 tip.
Trout Valley Illinois is not considered poor even if you live in Barrington.
I disagree that the district is liberal but I do agree this bill smells of desperation. This bill suggests the GOP war on women is even bigger than we thought.
If a GOPer in this district is feeling the heat then I wonder what GOP polling is with educated women who have a degree.
Women vote more than men, college educated women vote more than not college educated, Whites vote more than the rest of us and the rich vote more than the poor.
This district is wealthy if GOPers are running scared on a Women’s bill that has no chance of passing just to make a gesture granted an empty one then the GOP has problems in the Burbs.
The GOP can’t win squat without the burbs.
So far, it’s between Dold and Snowe for Romney’s VP.
wow. I hope he gets supported then, and especially if crusty dems are his competition.
I think it’s interesting. Could be worth watching. I recall how I periodically regret abandoning Christianity for a more spiritual spirituality, instead of working in behalf of reform from within. Throwing rocks from the outside is not productive.
But it’s gotta be an honest thing. I mean, we’re talking about REPUBLICANS here.