WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose) said on Tuesday that he was “stunned and saddened” that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has decided to stop funding for breast cancer prevention, screenings and education at Planned Parenthood health centers around the nation.
The foundation said that it cannot give grants to organizations that are under investigation by government authorities. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) is looking into whether federal dollars have been spent on abortions.
“As someone who has been personally touched by breast cancer, has advocated for breast cancer funding as an appropriator in Congress, and has supported the Race for the Cure for years, the fact that the foundation has succumbed to political pressure is alarming,” said Honda, whose long-time chief of staff, Jennifer VanderHeide, had breast cancer last year.
“This is just the latest casualty in a misguided and harmful campaign started by House Republicans to demonize the life-saving health services delivered by Planned Parenthood health centers. I call on Komen to reconsider this utterly misguided decision, stand strong in the face of political pressure, and do the right thing for the health of millions of women everywhere.”