Heartbeat Bill, legislation to defund Planned Parenthood to be revived
(Columbus) - State Senator Nina Turner (D-Cleveland), representatives from Planned Parenthood, and other legislators and activists gathered at the Statehouse today to protest a renewed war on women waged by Republicans in the Ohio legislature and the executive branch.
In protest of Ohio Republicans' renewed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, Turner wore a provocative t-shirt that suggests a new meaning for the acronym "GOP": "Get Out of my Panties."
"For the life of me, I cannot understand why Republicans are so intent on taking away from women the right to make their own choices about their bodies," said Senator Turner. "Voters soundly rejected the foolishness of the radical right on Election Day in favor of the dignity of American women, but some lawmakers must not have heard."
Exit polls from last week's election indicate that 56 percent of Ohio voters believe abortion should be legal all or most of the time. Only 39 percent stated that it should be illegal.
"While Republicans rail against women making their own choices, they are cutting funding for education and critical social services that children need after they are born. They want small government, alright--small enough to fit into a woman's womb."
Republican leadership in both the Ohio House and Senate have indicated that action is being openly discussed on House Bill 125, the "Heartbeat Bill," and House Bill 298, which would end public support of valuable healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. In addition, news was released last week that Governor John Kasich appointed Michael Gonidakis, Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life, to the Ohio State Medical Board.
