Congresswoman Laments Lack of Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood

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Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) took to the House floor Wednesdy to decry lack of support from her Republican colleagues to defund Planned Parenthood before entering into their month-long summer break.

Being the author of the legislation that sought to end all federal funds to the abortion conglomerate, Black said she felt "disappointed" that her colleagues would show silence in the face of evil.

"I stand here profoundly disappointed that the House will leave town today without taking a vote on my legislation to defund Planned Parenthood," she said. "Today, I'm reminded of the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 'Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.'"

House Republican leadership have already stated that efforts to defund Planned Parenthood won't be put up for a vote anytime soon. The Senate, however, will be taking a vote to defund Planned Parenthood next week thanks to efforts by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

"In order to enact legislation to defund Planned Parenthood, we need more Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate to support our efforts," a House GOP leadership aide told The Hill.

All 150 lawmakers who signed Black's bill were Republicans. Only one Democrat — Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) — joined them.

The House will not return from their August recess until September 8.

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