by Sen. Will Kraus
The national media and broader culture often tell us that the fight to protect the lives of unborn children is no longer worth fighting. They tell us the issue of abortion was decided decades ago, and we who stand up for the rights of unborn babies are wasting our time and energy. They tell us to stop protesting, save our breath and learn to live with it.
I can tell you the media and our culture are wrong. The fight against abortion is a good, productive fight, and every life is worth fighting to protect.
As a Missouri state senator, I am in many ways on the front lines, working year after year to pass pro-life policies for our state and provide young women with as many alternatives to abortion as possible. Last week, the Missouri General Assembly won a major battle in this fight by defunding Planned Parenthood in the state.
As a Legislature, we sent a budget to Governor Nixon stripping $8 million of federal funds from the abortion provider. This action is the final removal of all taxpayer dollars going to Planned Parenthood within Missouri.
After allegations that Planned Parenthood was selling baby body parts, as well as potentially failing to comply with other state and federal laws, surfaced last summer, citizens of this state made it clear they did not want their tax dollars funding the organization. As a member of the Sanctity of Life committee and a representative of many concerned constituents, I listened to this outcry and cast my vote in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood.
Instead of funding an organization that performs abortions, the Legislature chose to increase funding for programs, clinics and resource centers providing alternatives to abortion for young women. $10 million will go to Federally Qualified Health Clinics, rural health clinics, local public health agencies and private providers to provide women with the comprehensive health care they need.
Not only is the fight to preserve unborn lives continuing, but we are winning some very important battles. The decision to defund Planned Parenthood is one of many helping make Missouri a more pro-life state and will help save the lives of precious children. While the pressures pro-life supporters and activists are strong, I am proud to be standing up for the protection of the unborn.
