Ohio Senate votes to defund Planned Parenthood, eliminates almost $1 million in grants

On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate voted 22-8 to pass HB 294, legislation eliminating almost $1 million in federal grants to Planned Parenthood.

The bill cleared the state House 62-30 last November, and now returns to the House to resolve changes between both chambers’ versions, after which it is expected to be signed into law by Governor John Kasich. Sixty-four percent of Ohioans favor eliminating Planned Parenthood’s federal tax funding.

“With an infant mortality crisis like Ohio’s, our State has to be very deliberate in ensuring that funds combating that crisis go to programs that respect the whole continuum of life,” Ohio Right to Life executive director Stephanie Ranade Krider said.

“Ohio Right to Life thanks the leadership of Senate President Keith Faber and Chairman Bill Coley for passing this legislation with careful thought and consideration, and the utmost compassion for mothers and their babies,” she added.

Ohio’s current protections for the preborn place it as the 17th most pro-life state in the country, according to Americans United for Life’s annual Life List.