Nancy Pelosi
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is another renowned proponent of Planned Parenthood. With the outbreak of Zika virus, which can be transmitted form a mother to an unborn child and result in severe birth deffects, Pelosi stated in 2016 that it was necessary for Planned Parenthood to continue receiving funding for the benefit of babies infected by Zika. Even more recently, Pelosi criticized Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood in a reconcilliation bill, because they should have been focusing on other issues, like reducing the country's deficit spending or increasing job creation, she said. Pelosi, who is Catholic, even suggested that passing a bill to defund Planned Parenthood is an attempt by men to establish a superiority over women. She said, "What are [Republicans] doing in this bill? Defunding Planned Parenthood, that's their manhood thing."
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a long track-record fighting to protect women's reproductive rights. In 2015, Hillary Clinton released a video declaring her support for Planned Parenthood. She said, "I'll never stop fighting to protect the ability and right of every woman in this country to make her own health decisions." She also criticized polticians who want to defund Planned Parenthood, because she said this would prevent women, men, and youth from receiving lifesaving preventive care. During her 2016 presedential campaign, Clinton emphasized her support for the organization, saying, "As President, I will always have [Planned Parenthood's] back." Clinton is a firm believer that defunding Planned Parenthood is a direct attack on women's health. Furthermore, she has been a vocal opponent of those like Gov. Scott Walker and Gov. Rick Perry who have cut funds for Planned Parenthood services in their respective states. Clinton is also not shy about addressing abortions directly, having once said, "Defending women's health means defending access to abortion."
4