Much outrage has been mustered at the videos which show Planned Parenthood doctors discussing the donations of fetal tissues but have been heavily edited to make it look like they are trafficking in human flesh. It’s a common medical practice that has been ongoing for many years; this is just the latest in a smear campaign by religious extremists attempting to shut down a vitally important organization and deny women rights over their own bodies.
Republicans in Congress are similarly full of self-righteous outrage, especially majority leader and rabbleking Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who said of the video that “what we saw was very, very disturbing. I’ve not been a fan of funding them in the past and that remains my position.” Fellow Republican Fred Upton (R-MI) similarly complained, saying that this video is abhorrent and rips at the heart…the committee will get to the bottom of this appalling situation” as he announced the beginning of a Congressional witch hunt into the matter.
It’s a well known fact that Republicans have very selective memories, which is why it’s time for us to remind them that both McConnell and Upton voted to lift the ban on fetal tissue donations in the first place in 1993.
That little fact seems to have very little effect on the Senators, who are attempting to fast-track a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Their hypocrisy is going to have devastating effects on the health of American women if it gets passed, even though they are all very well aware that the videos are heavily doctored. It is vitally important that women still have access to reproductive health services and the ability to make decisions about their own bodies. The GOP must not be allowed to succeed in their war on women.