Reid: Videos don’t prove Planned Parenthood broke the law
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid suggested Tuesday that while two recent videos raise questions about Planned Parenthood, he doesn’t believe the organization broke the law.
“These politically motivated videos raises questions, but nothing I’ve seen indicates that Planned Parenthood violated federal law,” the Nevada Democrat told reporters.
{mosads}His remarks come after a second video was released Tuesday that shows another Planned Parenthood executive discussing the costs of saving and using fetal tissue.
That followed an initial video released last week that started a political firestorm. In that video, a high-ranking medical officer candidly described the preservation of fetal tissue.
Reid added that the videos “should not take away from the important work Planned Parenthood does.”
Asked earlier Tuesday if Democrats still supported Planned Parenthood, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said, “I believe we’re strong supporters of a woman’s right to choose, so that is what’s going to guide us regardless of what one video says.”
The Illinois Democrat rejected the notion that he was trying to distance himself from the organization, adding, “I support Planned Parenthood, but I don’t know the details.”
The group is currently under fire by Republicans, who are renewing their push to defund the organization.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who is running for president, is planning to file an amendment to a long-term highway bill to remove federal funding.
That comes after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), another 2016 contender, said last week that he would file a similar amendment on legislation before the Senate this week.
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