Aderholt Just Ascended the Grandstand & Lost a Lot of Respect

 

You say you don't want your tax dollars to pay for induced abortions? Neither do we. In case you're not aware, it's currently against federal law for such funds to be used in induced abortions. It's called the Hyde Amendment; here's a recap from Wikipedia:

In U.S. politics, the Hyde Amendment is a legislative provision barring the use of federal funds to pay for abortion, except to save the life of the woman, or if the pregnancy arises from incest or rape.^[1][2] Before the Hyde Amendment took effect in 1980, an estimated 300,000 abortions were performed annually using federal funds.^[3]

Currently, federal funds are sent to Planned Parenthood to conduct tests for sexually transmitted infections and offer birth control and sex education. While Planned Parenthood does offer abortion services, these procedures do not use taxpayer dollars.

Now Rep. Robert Aderholt has introduced a bill to pull all funds from Planned Parenthood. Per Alabama Political Reporter:

Aderholt wrote in his announcement of the bill, entitled the Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act, “Defending the unborn has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to Congress, and I will continue to fight for life each and every day.” 

“I am proud to introduce this bill in the U.S. House and to continue standing for life by ensuring that federal tax dollars are never used to fund organizations such as Planned Parenthood and others like it,” Aderholt continued.

While this is his prerogative, Aderholt also states:

Women deserve real health care options that protect both mother and child.

Even disregarding the issue of birth control (more such education could reduce induced abortions by as much as 90%), we're at a loss as to how less STI testing protects an unborn child.

First, there are at least seven STIs that diminish or destroy fertility in both males and females. Some can go undetected for years.

What happens to an infant born to a mother with an STI?

Babies born to mothers with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have serious health problems, including eye infections, pneumonia, and brain damage. Some STIs can even cause stillbirth. 

How can babies get STIs from their mothers? 

• During pregnancy: Some STIs, like syphilis, cross the placenta and infect the fetus.
• During birth: Other STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes, are passed from the mother to the baby during delivery.
• After birth: HIV can infect a newborn during birth and through breast milk.

Does Robert Aderholt really want more of that? Or is he that ignorant? Or is he pandering to certain voters? Will he aspire to the Senate if Tommy moves on? If so, today he lost our vote or support.