Uh...wow. This is historic:
Planned Parenthood, which has become an ideological minefield in the 2016 presidential election, said Thursday that it would endorse Hillary Clinton — its first endorsement in a presidential primary in the nonprofit’s 100-year existence.
Mrs. Clinton will officially accept the group’s support Sunday at a campaign rally in Manchester, N.H. The decision to break with tradition and endorse Mrs. Clinton comes as the House has approved a measure, endorsed by the leading Republican presidential candidates, that would repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act and strip away federal financing for Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive and health care services.
“Everything Planned Parenthood has believed in and fought for over the past 100 years is on the ballot,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.
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The endorsement, technically made through the nonprofit’s advocacy arm, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, brings with it at least $20 million to spend in this election cycle on presidential and Senate races in crucial battleground states, including New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Clinton has gotten plenty of great endorsements so far in this contest, but this one is simply huge in so many ways. And she’s earned it by being a lifetime advocate for women’s rights, as well as relentlessly speaking out during this campaign against efforts to attack reproductive rights and defund their organization.
Congrats, Hillary!
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UPDATE: Here is the official endorsement from the Planned Parenthood website. And it is a doozy!
Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Hillary ClintonOur Nation’s Best Presidential Candidate for Reproductive Rights, Hands Down
There’s no question: Hillary Clinton holds the strongest record on reproductive rights of all presidential contenders in not just this election, but in American history. She doesn’t just support women’s health — she has been a proactive leader on expanding access to women’s health care. In fact, no other 2016 candidate has shown such strong, lifelong commitment to the issues Planned Parenthood Action Fund cares about.
We live in an era where access to birth control, abortion, and services at Planned Parenthood are under unprecedented attack. With so much at stake, we can’t afford to have a president who continues these attacks — or who won’t stand strong and fight against them, no matter what.
We need Hillary Clinton, women’s health champion, in the White House.
UPDATE 2: Full statement from Hillary Clinton:
“As a lifelong Planned Parenthood supporter, I’m honored to have the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. There has never been a more important election when it comes to women’s health and reproductive rights—and Planned Parenthood’s patients, providers, and advocates across the country are a crucial line of defense against the dangerous agenda being advanced by every Republican candidate for president.
“This week was a jarring reminder of what’s at stake in 2016. For the first time ever, the United States House and Senate passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Thankfully, President Obama will exercise his veto power to stop the Republicans from cutting off women, men, and young people from vital health care services at Planned Parenthood—including cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and STI and HIV tests—and taking away health coverage from 18 million people. Any of the Republican candidates will proudly sign that bill into law if they win. We can’t let that happen.
“We need a president who has what it takes to stop Republicans from defunding Planned Parenthood and taking away a woman’s right to basic health care. If I’m elected, I will be that president. I’ve fought for women and families my entire life, and I refuse to let anyone rip away the progress we’ve made. I will defend against attacks on reproductive health care, and protect access to affordable contraception and safe and legal abortion across the country. I will fight to ensure access to reproductive health care regardless of income, national origin, race, or ZIP code. And I will be a champion for women and families—just as Planned Parenthood has been for nearly a century.”
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Crossposted at Hillary HQ, an independent, progressive blog committed to the electing Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States.