Planned Parenthood has seen a remarkable surge in donations, with 82,000 contributions made in the name of former Indiana Governor and current Vice President Mike Pence. This influx comes at a time when women’s rights and reproductive health services are under considerable threat from a newly elected administration that openly opposes choice. The reality is that despite Planned Parenthood’s assertion that only three percent of its services pertain to abortions, misinformation persists, leading to continued efforts to undermine their funding.
Since the election of Donald Trump, a staggering 315,000 donations have been directed to Planned Parenthood, with 82,000 specifically linked to Pence’s name. While the media has been fixated on the alarming tweets from the newly inaugurated president, it’s crucial to acknowledge the implications of the individuals he has chosen to align himself with. Pence stands out as a particularly formidable adversary of women’s rights. His actions speak volumes about his stance: he was the author of the first bill aimed at cutting federal funding for Planned Parenthood back in 2011, asserting that “the time has come to deny any federal funding to Planned Parenthood.”
Pence’s Controversial Policies
Moreover, Pence has exhibited a concerning lack of understanding regarding critical issues such as the definition of rape. He supported efforts to amend the Hyde Amendment, which governs abortion coverage in federally funded healthcare, by proposing to replace “rape” with “forcible rape.” Such language shifts undermine the serious nature of sexual violence and could dilute critical protections for women. In 2014, he enacted a law prohibiting private insurance from covering abortions unless the pregnancy was a result of rape, incest, or posed a threat to the mother’s life—without exceptions for fetal anomalies.
In a particularly intrusive move, Pence signed a law mandating that women seeking an abortion undergo an ultrasound 18 hours prior to the procedure, and that the remains must be either buried or cremated. These actions have made him a prime target for what some are calling “spite donations,” with 82,000 contributions to Planned Parenthood made in his name. Although many of these donors would likely have supported women’s healthcare regardless, there’s a certain satisfaction in giving in Pence’s name.
Public Response and Irony
According to data from New York magazine, 26 percent of the donations received by Planned Parenthood since the election have been attributed to Mike Pence. Ironically, in his quest to restrict women’s rights, he has inadvertently supported an organization that champions those very rights.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, the wave of donations to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence’s name highlights a significant public response to his anti-choice policies. As women’s rights face increasing threats, supporters of reproductive health are mobilizing their efforts in unprecedented ways.