Robert Dold is the rogue Republican
Robert Dold, a GOP congressman, is an unlikely ally to Planned Parenthood. Dold is introducing a plan to help fund the pro-choice organization as well as introduce the plan alongside Planned Parenthood at a press conference.
“As a pro-choice Republican, I believe that this legislation is critical because it ensures nondiscrimination within the federal Title X family planning program,” states Dold.
Many Republicans are against Planned Parenthood for the fact that they perform abortions, but they continue to cut funding for other services that are beneficial to women—that are non-abortion services—like mammograms and breast exams. “We have seen in Congress and in several states across the country, an attempt to block funds to Title X participants simply because these providers separately provide services beyond the scope of Title X funding,” Dold explains during a press conference.
Over the past several years, eight legislatures have voted to eliminate Planned Parenthood’s funding. Last year, Title X funding to Planned Parenthood, which is “completely devoted to providing comprehensive family planning and other related preventive health services to individuals,” was blocked.
With the upcoming elections, there is speculation that this is a tactic to have more women in favor with the GOP candidate. “With the presidential election just six months away, Republicans are in damage-control mode with women voters, whom strongly favor Democrats. Dold’s legislation, even if it’s not taken up by GOP leaders, could help soften the party’s imagine among women.
Dold, a Freshman House Republican, represents a moderately-liberal suburb of Chicago. Dold, to the political scene, was the president of his family owned business, Rose Pest Solution. His reason to enter politics: “I feel we’re going in the wrong direction in Washington.”
