Letter: Porter’s talk doesn’t match his vote

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 | 7:07 a.m.

Since beginning work at Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada, I thought I had seen it all, but this month, as the U.S. House of Representatives was debating a key federal spending bill, Rep. Jon Porter voted for a last-minute amendment that would have denied family planning services to millions of women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control .

Fortunately, the amendment failed. But it's beyond ironic that Rep. Porter, R-Nev., claims to be so concerned about abortion rates when he voted to restrict the very funds that will help women prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion - in fact, it's unconscionable.

As the nation's leading reproductive health care advocate and provider, Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the positive effect that federal family planning funds have on the lives of low-income women and families. Women and couples can plan strong, healthy families when they have access to affordable birth control and the information they need to make responsible decisions.

Annette Magnus, Las Vegas