Senate Democrats have ended their filibuster on resolutions that would demand the director of Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, and the owner of a lab that reviews tissue for the organization, appear before the Senate by April 25th to explain why they haven’t obeyed Senate subpoenas. Senator Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) says the Senate has passed the measures that order Mary Kogut and Dr. James Miller to provide documents on the organization’s fetal tissue disposal.
Senators Jamilah Nasheed and Kurt Schaefer
Democrats, including Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), have spent two days blocking a vote on the measures. Nasheed says Planned Parenthood does much more than perform abortions.
“I understand the philosophical views that the Republicans have when it comes to abortion but why throw the baby out with the bath water,” asked Nasheed. “That’s what I see happening with this attack on Planned Parenthood.”
Nasheed says Republicans want to put Planned Parenthood out of business.
“Do you believe that they (Planned Parenthood) are selling body parts,” asked Nasheed.
“I know that those allegations are out there,” said Schaefer. “One purpose of the committee is to find out if that’s true or not, which certainly raises a big red flag when you’ve got an entity that could come in and say this is what we do. They refuse to do it, so that certainly raises the implication that there’s a problem.”
Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal
“But you don’t know for sure,” said Nasheed.
Schaefer and Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) had a philosophical discussion about abortion.
“I know that there are babies going in the door with a beating heart that are coming out without one. I know that,” said Schaefer.
“Well, that’s if you consider it a baby. Not everybody does,” said Chappelle-Nadal.
“I’m sure we could have that discussion all day long,” said Schaefer.
If Kogut and Miller do not appear, a Senate committee and the full Senate could pass new resolutions if they want to hold Kogut and Miller in contempt. They could then face fines and jail time.