Did your representative vote to defund Planned Parenthood?

Abbie Waters blogs about women’s health, infertility, and reproductive health at FertilityNation.com.

As you probably know, last week the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed Mike Pence’s (R-IN) amendment to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Not abortions, mind you–federal funding for abortions are prohibited by the Hyde Amendment. No, they passed a law to cut off funding for basic, preventative health care: ob/gyn examinations, STI checks, cancer screenings, examinations for contraceptives, etc.

If you’re angry about this you should call your representative and let them know. If they voted for this vile bill, let them know. If they voted against it, call to thank them. If they didn’t vote, call them out on their cowardice. The Republican war on women and war on choice is in full swing, and pro-choice politicians need to know that we stand with them and have their backs.

You can find out how your representative voted in this New York Times interactive map.

If you’re really, really pissed about this, visit http://www.standuptoboehner.org and sign the petition, telling Speaker of the House Boehner that:
– I am a pro-choice American.
– I believe that decisions about my reproductive-health care, including abortion, are mine to make – not politicians’.
– I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend a woman’s right to choose.

In the long run, we need to elect more pro-choice politicians, more women, and re-fund Planned Parenthood.