Abortion promises to be a major talking point in 2020. While President Trump has pointedly condemned legislation allowing late-term abortion, his Democratic opponents refuse to name any limits on abortion, except to say ‘it’s a decision the woman makes.’ They also happen to have a monetary relationship with the nation’s largest abortion provider.
According to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), 12 Democrats looking to secure the nomination in 2020 have received a combined $191,300 since 1990 from Planned Parenthood while serving as federal candidates.
Here’s the breakdown of funding given by Planned Parenthood to Democrats eyeing 2020, listed by candidate and year:
Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado
2016
: $4,400
2010: $7,498
Total: $11,898
Former Vice President and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware
2002:
$500
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey
2018
: $250
2016: $20
2014: $8,482
Total: $8,752
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii
2016
: $6,500
2014: $3,000
2012: $5,000
Total: $14,500
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
2018
: $17,438
2012: $19,500
2010: $2,380
2008: $10,500
2006: $3,250
Total: $53,068
Sen. Kamala Harris of California
2018
: $142
2016: $2,500
Total: $2,642
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
2018
: $17,700
2016: $1,250
2012: $9,500
2010: $1,500
2008: $500
2006: $12,950
Total: $43,400
Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts
2018
: $1,000
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas
2018
: $11,768
2014: $1,000
2012: $1,000
Total: $13,768
Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio
2016
: $2,500
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont
2018
: $3,170
2016: $5,045
2012: $5,500
2006: $2,450
2004: $500
1998: $35
Total: $16,700
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
2018
: $5,820
2016: $260
2012: $16,492
Total: $22,572
Among other sources, CRP compiles data from the Federal Election Commission and ‘lists candidates receiving money’ from organizations like Planned Parenthood. CRP notes that the ‘organizations themselves did not donate,’ but instead the ‘money came from the organizations’ PACs, their individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families.’ The totals listed for organizations may also ‘include subsidiaries and affiliates.’
In its outside spending, or ‘political expenditures made by groups or individuals independently of, and not coordinated with, candidates’ committees,’ Planned Parenthood regularly spends millions for Democrats as well as millions against Republicans.
But money from Planned Parenthood doesn’t necessarily translate into a win. Hillary Clinton made headlines for becoming Planned Parenthood’s first primary endorsement in history. Her 2016 Democratic presidential campaign received $104,148 from Planned Parenthood, according to CRP. That’s not counting the millions that likely went indirectly to her campaign.
According to its most recent annual report, Planned Parenthood performed 332,757 abortions and received $563.8 million in ‘Government Health Services Reimbursements & Grants’ for the fiscal year 2017–18.
In a January tweet, Planned Parenthood president Leana Wen admitted that abortion is her organization’s ‘core mission.’ Abortion shouldn’t be a Left or Right issue – it should be a human rights issue that both sides unite against. But American citizens shouldn’t be surprised when these candidates consider abortion their mission too.