Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of public policy and advocacy of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, admitted that in Congress the abortion debate has become more partisan.
“The House Republicans have become a tougher audience for Planned Parenthood,” she said, but in the Senate the group still has allies among moderate Republicans.
Laguens also said that according to recent polls, the public is currently siding with Planned Parenthood. In a CNN poll conducted April 9-10, almost two-thirds of respondents said the federal government should continue funding Planned Parenthood.
The recent battle does appear to have bolstered Planned Parenthood’s fundraising. Spokesman Tait Sye said the number of online donations increased 500 percent in February and March.
Laguens said the group is unlikely to expand its lobbying team in response to the budget challenge. Last year, Planned Parenthood spent $483,904 on federal lobbying, according to filings with Congress, including a six-person in-house team and a contract with the Glover Park Group, a lobbying and public relations shop.
In addition, Planned Parenthood of California spent $120,000 and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund spent $112,458 on federal lobbying last year.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson appears at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church on M Street Northwest for a pre-rally before a march to the White House to protest what is seen as President Barack Obama's lack of action in addressing a variety of problems in black communities.
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