Both of Kentucky’s U.S. Senators are working to defund Planned Parenthood following the release of controversial videos secretly shot during a sting operation.
GOP leaders held a press conference in the Capitol Wednesday to discuss a bill that would shift funds to other community health clinics.
Local Planned Parenthood officials say the proposed legislation could affect almost 7,000 people in Kentucky and southern Indiana. The chain of health clinics includes sites in Louisville, Lexington and New Albany.
In a statement, Planned Parenthood leaders said removing those federal funds would disproportionately affect low-income patients who rely on them for reproductive health care and annual wellness exams.
The bill was drafted by Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky, Joni Ernst of Iowa and James Lankford of Oklahoma. Paul says the government shouldn’t be subsidizing the organization.
"There's absolutely no need for any public funding of Planned Parenthood," suggested Paul. "There's no excuse for it."
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has fast tracked the bill. He says senators will vote on it next week.
