On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar participated in a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing investigating Planned Parenthood’s Taxpayer Funding. Gosar accused the group of profitting from desth.
“The simple truth is that Planned Parenthood, masquerading as a non-profit, has strategically developed a business model to profit off the death of innocent unborn babies. The recent videos released by the Center for Medical Progress have lifted the curtain on this horrific operation and exposed it to the American public,” said Gosar in a statement released after the hearing. “With $127 million in excess revenue for 2014 alone, Planned Parenthood has become efficient in fundraising, throwing elaborate parties, funneling kickbacks and contributions to Democrats and other organizations that support their causes, and paying excessive salaries to their senior officials, all while milking taxpayers for approximately $500 million annually.
“Despite the ruthless accusations from Planned Parenthood and its accomplices claiming a ‘war on women’, the only casualties of this ‘war’ are the millions of innocent babies who have had the life crushed out of them. This abhorrent practice contradicts the American spirit of protecting innocent life and is only made worse by Planned Parenthood’s record of giving millions in campaign donations to Democrats in order to protect this cycle of death.
“There is a very simple solution to this issue: the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that Planned Parenthood receives every year should go to the thousands of public health clinics around the country that provide important health services without performing abortions. Planned Parenthood has proven that it has more than enough revenue to cover the annual taxpayer dollars it receives. There is simply no justification for requiring American taxpayers to pay for aborting the lives of innocent babies.”
According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, Planned Parenthood’s own reports show significant reductions in pre-natal services (80% decrease since 2004) and cancer screenings (57% decrease since 2006), while significantly increasing the number of abortions performed (12% increase since 2004). Planned Parenthood has brought in $765.7 million in excess revenues from 2005-2014, including $127 million in excess revenue in 2014 alone.
According to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, “In the five years of tax returns provided to the Committee, Planned Parenthood Federation of America transferred funding from its 501(c)(3), which is restricted in the amount of lobbying it may conduct, to its 501(c)(4), which may conduct lobbying as its primary activity. This practice appears to be widespread. Planned Parenthood transferred millions each year and its affiliates likewise transferred hundreds of thousands of dollar to related 501(c)(4)s and PACs.”
Gosar reported that Planned Parenthood spent $5,109,997 on travel in 2013 – nearly $14,000 per day.
Planned Parenthood’s annual gala dinner features Hollywood celebrities and musicians. According to their own tax returns, Planned Parenthood spent $608,716 on blowouts in 2012 and 2013, according to the According to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Planned Parenthood’s tax returns make clear, according to Gosar, that the highest paid individuals make substantial salaries, which is odd considering how reliant on taxpayer funding the organization is. Cecile Richard’s total compensation last year was $590,928. A medical Director at Planned Parenthood’s Affiliate for Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, made $459,827 for 2013. A President and CEO at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, made $439,107 for 2013