Hartford, Ct. – Recently, the New Hampshire Executive Council voted to defund Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Today, Governor Malloy will participate in an event supporting Planned Parenthood and the critical women’s health services they provide.

But it’s not just Governor Malloy. Democratic leaders across Connecticut support Planned Parenthood’s critical work. The following Democratic leaders released statements:

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said, “Reproductive health care is a critically important component of women’s health. From breast cancer screening, to access to contraception, Planned Parenthood provides essential services, particularly to lower-income women. I am proud that Connecticut recognizes the importance of Planned Parenthood and will continue to ensure it receives the necessary funding.”

State Senator Mae Flexer said, “Women’s health care should never be a political football. I – along with my Democratic colleagues – will stand with Connecticut women and continue to fight for Planned Parenthood and other providers of quality, affordable women’s health services.”

State Representative Toni Walker (D-New Haven), Co-Chair of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, said, “I am proud of the wonderful work Planned Parenthood of Connecticut does to help women get the care they need. By performing thousands of breast exams every year, Planned Parenthood literally saves lives. Planned Parenthood provides health services and contraceptives to thousands and thousands of Connecticut women. I will never stop fighting for women’s reproductive health.”

Connecticut Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo said, “It is unconscionable that Republicans in Washington would ignore the facts as they attempt to pander to their anti-choice, right-wing base by defunding Planned Parenthood. The truth is that 97 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services are dedicated to vital women’s health services including cancer screening, testing, and contraception. And no federal funding is ever used to fund abortion services. This is just another examply of the GOP’s anti-women agenda.

“Republicans say there is no war on women. Yet they continue to try to take away women’s health care services. For equal work, women continue to make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes, yet they oppose pay equity legislation. And they oppose earned sick time, so women no longer need to chose between taking care of a sick child or going to work. Sounds like a war on women to me.”