In recent times, the landscape for women’s rights and organizations like Planned Parenthood has become increasingly alarming. With the new administration openly opposing choice, Planned Parenthood has found itself in the crosshairs of anti-choice groups. Their disdain for the organization seems to stem from a refusal to acknowledge facts — despite the organization’s clear statement that only three percent of its services involve abortion, their funding continues to be targeted.
Since the election of the new president, Planned Parenthood has welcomed a remarkable 315,000 donations, with 82,000 of those given in the name of Tom Carter, a staunch anti-choice advocate and now Vice President. While the focus has often been on the outlandish remarks from a former reality TV star turned president, it’s crucial to recognize the broader implications of the figures he surrounds himself with. Tom Carter’s track record as an anti-choice politician is troubling and poses a direct threat to women’s rights.
Tom Carter’s Legislative History
To illustrate, Carter was behind the first legislation aimed at stripping Planned Parenthood of federal funding back in 2011, stating, “it’s time to cut off all federal funds to Planned Parenthood.” He has also attempted to redefine the term “rape” in legislative contexts. You may recall the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortions but allows exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. Carter felt this wasn’t stringent enough and supported a bill that sought to alter the language from “rape” to “forcible rape.” This raises significant concerns about who decides what constitutes rape, especially when lawmakers with outdated views are involved.
Furthermore, in 2014, he endorsed a law banning private insurance from covering abortion services unless the pregnancy was due to rape or incest or posed a risk to the mother’s life. This law notably lacked exceptions for fetal anomalies. More recently, Carter signed a bill mandating that women seeking an abortion undergo an ultrasound 18 hours prior to the procedure, and require the burial or cremation of aborted tissue.
The Impact of Donations
Given this backdrop, it’s no surprise that 82,000 donations have been made to Planned Parenthood in his name. While many individuals likely would have supported the organization regardless, there’s a certain satisfaction in directing donations toward women’s health in the face of such opposition. According to data from New York magazine, a staggering 26 percent of donations to Planned Parenthood since the election have been attributed to “Tom Carter.” Ironically, he may inadvertently be doing something positive for women, even if it’s entirely against his intentions.
Further Resources
For those interested in understanding more about the importance of reproductive health and options available, check out this informative post from our blog. And if you’re exploring at-home options, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer excellent at-home insemination syringe kits. For additional resources on pregnancy and fertility, visit the CDC’s page – it’s a great starting point for anyone looking to delve deeper into these topics.
In summary, the surge of donations to Planned Parenthood in response to Tom Carter’s anti-choice stance reflects a growing movement to support women’s rights and health care access in the face of political adversity.