'Women Speaking Out' Campaign to Rally Supporters, Target Opponents of Defunding Planned Parenthood

Contact: Kerry Brown, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-470-1926, kbrown@sba-list.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today, the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) announced the launch of a 14-stop grassroots tour and $200,000 ad campaign in support of its efforts to defund Planned Parenthood in the Continuing Resolution (CR). Starting tomorrow, the "Women Speaking Out" campaign will launch a series of television and radio ad buys thanking Members of Congress who stood up for women, young girls and taxpayers with their vote for Rep. Mike Pence's (R-IN) amendment to deny all taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood through September. The campaign will continue the following week with a grassroots tour through the districts of those pro-life Members and will target Representatives who voted against the amendment.

"There is one word that grassroots America articulated over and over when it comes to use of its tax dollars for objectionable purposes, and that word is a resounding 'no,'" said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "As we look at funding for Planned Parenthood, that word is being repeated across the country. Americans reject the idea that they would be forced into an alliance with sex traffickers and those who put the needs of women and young girls last. This campaign is a reminder of what this last election was all about."

The campaign will kick-off tomorrow with a four-day $75,000 television and online ad buy throughout NY-25 and the Syracuse-area thanking Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle for standing up for women, young girls and taxpayers with her vote to defund Planned Parenthood. The 30-second spot will air 182 times over four days and can be viewed here. The script reads:

With America drowning in debt, why is Washington spending millions on Planned Parenthood?

This corporation has shown a willingness to aid sex traffickers, covered-up statutory rape of young girls, and is America's number one abortion provider.

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle courageously said no to taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.

Thank you, Congresswoman Buerkle, for standing up for women, young girls, and taxpayers.

 
Later in the week, radio ads will air in the districts of Randy Hultgren (IL-14), Joe Walsh (IL-08), Frank Guinta (NH-02), Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) and Patrick Meehan (PA-07), thanking them for standing up for women.

The following week, Votes Have Consequences Project Director Marilyn Musgrave and former Planned Parenthood Clinic Manager Abby Johnson will hold press conferences with local pro-life leaders in districts thanking the Members above who voted to defund Planned Parenthood and targeting those who voted against the amendment.

Those targeted who voted against the amendment include Leonard Boswell (IA-03), Bruce Braley (D) (IA-01), Bill Keating (MA-10), David Cicilline (RI-01), Jason Altmire (PA-04), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and Bill Owens (NY-23).

The Susan B. Anthony List spent $11 million during the 2010 midterm election cycle. Overall, the SBA List was involved in 90 races including 62 wins and 28 losses. Successes included: defeating 15 of 20 so-called "pro-life" Democrats who voted for abortion funding in the health care reform bill; increasing the number of pro-life women in the House by 70 percent; filling the void of pro-life women in the U.S. Senate and increasing the number of pro-life women governors from one to four.

For further information, please contact Kerry Brown at (703) 470-1926 or kbrown@sba-list.org.