Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch MAGA Republican and ally of Donald Trump, has expressed her distress over Planned Parenthood’s forthcoming initiative offering free vasectomies and medication abortions during next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. She labeled the initiative as “heartbreaking” in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.
“I thought this was fake but it’s not,” Greene tweeted. “Planned Parenthood is going to provide free vasectomies and abortions at the Democratic National Convention this upcoming week. It’s hard to even comprehend and it’s truly heartbreaking. Being a mother is the most precious gift, choose life.”
Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, a key provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare in the St. Louis area, plans to operate a mobile health clinic near the convention from August 19-20. Attendees with appointments can receive vasectomies or medication abortions at no cost, while emergency contraception will be available without an appointment.
I thought this was fake but it’s not.
Planned Parenthood is going to provide free vasectomies and abortions at the Democrat National Convention this upcoming week.
It’s hard to even comprehend and it’s truly heartbreaking.
Being a mother is the most precious gift, choose life. pic.twitter.com/lHGtwjVJ2Y
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) August 18, 2024
Typically, a vasectomy in the U.S. can cost between $0 and $1,000, depending on various factors. Due to high interest, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers has already filled all appointments for vasectomies and medication abortions at their mobile clinic, though they encourage interested parties to check back for any cancellations. Additionally, there are 11 Planned Parenthood health centers in Chicago and its suburbs where services will still be available.
This initiative holds particular importance for southern Illinois residents, given the nearby restrictions on abortions in Missouri. According to the Guttmacher Institute, thousands from Missouri traveled to Illinois for abortion services in recent years.
Greene’s remarks have resonated with other conservatives who share similar sentiments, including Sarah Fields, president of the Texas Freedom Coalition, who expressed her disapproval online. Even Democrats for Life, an anti-abortion rights group, criticized the convention’s funding for abortions and called for more support for childbirth.
However, the Democratic Party is expected to emphasize the importance of protecting abortion access, with Vice President Kamala Harris likely to adopt a more proactive stance than President Joe Biden has historically. Harris has consistently championed reproductive rights throughout her career, especially in response to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
With abortion being a sensitive topic for many voters, it could significantly impact the upcoming elections, as polls indicate that a large majority of Americans support legalizing abortion in most scenarios.