AUGUSTA, Maine — Several Republican lawmakers held a State House news conference Friday to urge legislative leaders to allow a package of bills into the January session they say will bring accountability to state funds used by Planned Parenthood.
Additionally, one bill would shift family planning funds to a different health provider.
Assistant House Majority Leader Sara Gideon, a Democrat from Freeport, said Democratic leaders will vote to block all of the bills.
“I would say that since there is no fetal research, fetal tissue research in the state of Maine, this feels like a witch hunt,” she said.
At issue is the national debate over allegations by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, that the women’s health care organization has sold fetal tissue to researchers for a profit.
“Despite the fact that we have been told that Maine does not have a fetal tissue donation program, there is no way for us to be sure,” said Rep. Ellie Espling, a Republican from New Gloucester and assistant Republican floor leader. “Abortion clinics in Maine operate without a license and with no oversight or accountability.”
The 10 elected leaders on the Legislative Council — five Democrats and five Republicans — will decide which bills are allowed into the January session. If the five Democrats in leadership oppose the bills, they will not be considered during the session that is scheduled to run from January to April 2016.
If that happens, Gideon said she would not be surprised to see Gov. Paul LePage introduce the legislation. He can submit legislation at any time.
This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public Broadcasting Network.