Republican Congressman Formerly Endorsed as a “Young Gun” by NRCC Supports Planned Parenthood Funding

The National Republican Congressional Committee supported Bob Dold’s 2010 campaign as one of its ostensibly conservative “Young Guns” candidates.   With this help from the NRCC, Bob Dold was elected to Congress.

On May 9, less than two years after this inflow of funds from the Republican Party, Representative Bob Dold (R-IL) introduced legislation protecting funding of Planned Parenthood.  This stands in stark contrast to legislation passed last year by the House seeking to eliminate all federal funding.  All but seven Republicans voted in favor of this ban.

In 2010, Planned Parenthood provided more than 329,445 abortions.  This makes it the largest abortion services provider in the county.  In that same year, 46% of its more than $1 billion in revenue came from government health services grants and reimbursements!  Nearly 70% of its expenses fell under the “medical services” category which includes abortion services.  Partially due to this inflow of government funding, Planned Parenthood’s assets exceed its liabilities by more than $1 billion.  That’s quite a strong balance sheet!

Despite the fact that many of Bob Dold’s constituents oppose being forced to fund an abortion services provider, despite the fact that these funds could easily be directed to health organizations which do not provide abortions, and despite the fact that Bob Dold earned an endorsement from the NRCC’s Young Guns program, he advocates continued federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Bob Dold’s campaign website states, “To put our government back on firm financial ground we must drastically cut spending. “  Actions speak louder than campaign rhetoric, Mr. Congressman.  And actions speak louder than any past “Young Guns” endorsement.  Then again, Dick Lugar once offered a glowing endorsement of Bob Dold as well, commending him for his fiscal discipline and common sense.  This proposed legislation shows little of either.

Follow Joel on Twitter @joelgriffith