1 of 2 | Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) asks questions at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight hearing on unmarked or mislabeled graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 29, 2010. UPI/Alexis C. Glenn |
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WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- Scott Brown Tuesday became the second Republican in the U.S. Senate to criticize a GOP proposal that would cut funding for Planned Parenthood.
"I support family planning and health services for women," Brown, R-Mass., said in a statement. "Given our severe budget problems, I don't believe any area of the budget is completely immune from cuts. However, the proposal to eliminate all funding for family planning goes too far. As we continue with our budget negotiations, I hope we can find a compromise that is reasonable and appropriate."
Brown joins Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in opposing a House GOP proposal to slash $300 million in federal grants and aid to Planned Parenthood, The Hill reported. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also has criticized proposals that would cut funding for other family planning programs.
Meanwhile, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard Tuesday signed into law a bill that requires a 72-hour waiting period and counseling for women seeking abortions.
"I think everyone agrees with the goal of reducing abortion by encouraging consideration of other alternatives," Daugaard, a Republican, said in a statement, the (Sioux Falls) Argus Leader reported. "I hope that women who are considering an abortion will use this three-day period to make good choices."
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota; the American Civil Liberties Union; and the ACLU of South Dakota said they plan to file a lawsuit immediately.
"Our legal team has determined that the bill is an egregious violation of the Constitution," Planned Parenthood media relations director Kathi Di Nicola told the newspaper.
