March 4, 2011- On Feb. 18, 2011, the House adopted a controversial amendment (sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.) to the Continuing Resolution (HR 1) that would cut off federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The vote was largely split along party lines, with seven Republicans joining 178 Democrats in voting against the amendment.
Based on an analysis of contributions linked to pro-choice groups provided by the Center for Responsive Politics, out of the seven Republicans who voted against the amendment, five did well with contributions linked to "Abortion policy/Pro-Choice" groups over a two year period. Out of the entire chamber, these five Republicans ranked 5th, 7th, 10th, 17th, and 24th in funding from pro-choice groups. The other two Republicans who voted against the amendment did not receive any funding in the last election cycle from pro-choice groups. Of the Democrats who voted in favor of adopting the amendment, only Indiana's Joe Donnelly has received money from contributions connected to pro-choice groups over the same two year period ($700).
This is not Rep. Pence's first attempt to cut federal funding of Planned Parenthood. In 2009, he was unsuccessful in getting a similar amendment added to the Department of Education appropriations bill. Three of the Republicans who opposed his more recent amendment did the same in 2009. One, Mary Bono Mack, voted 'Yes' in 2009 and 'No' in 2011. The remaining three were not in office at the time. Leonard Lance, the top House Republican recipient of money from pro-choice groups in the last election cycle ($10,900 from 11/23/2008 to 11/22/2010), voted against Pence's amendment back in 2009, but for it in 2011.
| Legislator | Contributions connected to Pro-Choice Groups | Rank In Full House | Rank Among House Republicans |
| Charlie Bass | $9,400 | 5th | 2nd |
| Charlie Dent | $8,900 | 7th | 3rd |
| Richard Hanna | $7,900 | 10th | 4th |
| Robert Dold | $5,600 | 17th | 5th |
| Judy Biggert | $4,650 | 24th | 7th |
| Mary Bono Mack | $0 | - | - |
| Rodney Frelinghuysen | $0* | - | - |
* Between 2002-2004, Rep. Frelinghuysen received over $9,000 in contributions connected to Pro-Choice groups.
Includes reported contributions to congressional campaigns of House members in office on day of vote, from interest groups invested in the vote according to MAPLight.org, November 23, 2008 – November 22, 2010. Contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org
