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Rep. Huizenga, other Republican lawmakers call for investigation into Planned Parenthood

Michigan Public Radio

United States Representative Bill Huizenga is calling for an investigation into Planned Parenthood, after the women’s clinic gained access to Small Business Funding. Huizenga, who represents Michigan’s 2nd congressional district has joined 126 other members of both the House and Senate, who are asking that the Small Business Administration investigate how Planned Parenthood was able to access Paycheck Protection Program funding.

According to reports by NPR, Planned Parenthood received $80 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES act, a program designed to provide loans to small businesses suffering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Republicans, including Rep. Huizenga argue, that Planned Parenthood is a national organization with central control over its affiliates and which has nearly $2 billion in assets.

Huizenga issued this statement “Money in the Paycheck Protection Program was designed to save jobs and small businesses across the nation,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The ending of a child’s life is an atrocity, not a business. The Small Business Administration needs to examine the legality of Planned Parenthood accessing these funds.”

Meanwhile Planned Parenthood said in a statement that the coronavirus pandemic has had a "significant impact" on local health centers and that the loans have helped affiliates retain staff,”

And Jacqueline Ayers, vice president of government relations and public policy issued this statement:

"This is a clear political attack--It has nothing to do with Planned Parenthood health care organizations’ eligibility for COVID-19 relief efforts, and everything to do with the Trump administration using a public health crisis to advance a political agenda.”

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