October 24, 2007 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today issued the following statement in response to the Senate vote on an amendment offered by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), for the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill (H.R. 3043), which failed by a vote of 41-52.  The amendment would have prevented any organization that performs abortions from receiving Title X funds.

“It has been said that a government is what it spends.” Franks stated.  “Today’s vote on the Vitter amendment was an absolute shame to the United States Senate, and I believe those who voted against it failed in their duty to the American people and our calling as public servants to protect the innocent.  America still struggles with its collective conscience over the killing of 4,000 innocent unborn children in their mothers’ wombs every day— however one thing should be clear to every one of us, and that is, Americans should not be forced to pay with their federal tax dollars for the convenience-killing of preborn children.

“For this government to appropriate one penny of the American taxpayer’s money to any organization that kills unborn children on demand and emotionally impoverishes their mothers is a disgrace that undermines the core essence of the United States of America and betrays the greatest principles that America’s soldiers have died to preserve.”