Franken: ‘Thank you, Planned Parenthood’

He praises efforts to permit abortions of unborn babies who can feel pain

When Planned Parenthood held a rally against a Congressional bill to ban abortions at the point when the unborn child can feel pain, Al Franken was there to cheer them on.

Franken energizes abortion advocates

Franken joined the nation’s biggest abortion business on July 11, 2013, to rally for keeping abortions legal right up to the day of birth.

He pledges his strong support

“You have my promise to keep fighting. Thank you, Planned Parenthood,” Franken declared to pro-abortion activists gathered outside the Capitol.

Moments later, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards tweeted her praise of Franken to her loyal supporters. Richards thanked Franken for his commitment to fight for late-term elective abortions of unborn children who measure 12 inches, who have functioning hearts and brains, who suck their thumbs, who kick and swim, who have hair on their heads — and who can feel pain.

Legislation would protect pain-capable unborn children

Franken, Richards and their pro-abortion friends took to Capitol Hill in July 2013 to oppose the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a U.S. House bill that mirrors similar legislation that 10 states have enacted into law. The House bill passed by a vote of 228-196 on June 18; it was the most far-reaching pro-life legislation since the partial-birth abortion ban was approved in 2003. The bill is strongly supported by MCCL and based on model legislation drafted by National Right to Life.

Franken is fighting against the legislation in the U.S. Senate — lifesaving legislation that protects pain-capable unborn children from the excruciating pain of being torn apart in their mothers’ wombs. Franken is well funded by pro-abortion political groups that have aggressively fought pain-capable legislation at the state and federal levels.

Franken's position is extreme, according to polls

His position puts him at odds with the vast majority of Minnesotans and Americans. Fully 80 percent of Americans believe third-trimester abortions should be illegal, according to the latest Gallup poll.

In a nationwide poll of 1,003 registered voters in March, the Polling Company found that 64 percent would support a law such as the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks — when an unborn baby can feel pain — unless the life of the mother is in danger. Only 30 percent opposed such legislation. Women voters split 63-31 percent in support of such a law, and 63 percent of independent voters supported it.

Franken has made his choice. He sides with pro-abortion extremist groups that oppose any limits on abortion, even those protecting unborn children who can feel pain.