Statements from Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray on House Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood and Repeal the Affordable Care Act

January 6, 2016

Statement from Mayor de Blasio:

“Instead of playing politics with women’s – and all American’s – health care yet again, Republicans in Congress should do their job. That means passing desperately needed gun control measures; raising the minimum wage and providing paid leave for working families across the country; stopping efforts to block vital immigration reform – and much more.”

Statement from First Lady McCray:

“By voting to defund Planned Parenthood, congressional Republicans have sent a clear message: women’s lives, and the health and happiness of their families, have less value than political points. Women across New York City depend on Planned Parenthood. And for women who must choose between reproductive health care and putting food on the table, Planned Parenthood is a literal lifeline. I’m fed up with politicians who pay lip service to family values while ignoring or working hard to gut policies that support families. I hope every legislator who voted to defund Planned Parenthood is forced to explain to a woman, in person, why he wants to make it harder for her to get cancer screenings, support the children she already has or plan her future. Shame on you!”