Photo of Planned Parenthood supporters by Ted Soqui via Stocksy
Vice President-elect Mike Pence's staunch anti-abortion track record has led many to worry about Planned Parenthood's fate. For nearly ten years, Pence has crusaded to defund Planned Parenthood, once telling supporters in an email, "I'm ready to deliver … legislation that will prevent abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from receiving a single dime from the federal government." In a 2011 interview with MSNBC, Pence said he'd prefer a shutdown of the federal government than continue to fund Planned Parenthood.VICE News Tonight correspondent Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani sat down with Planned Parenthood Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens and CEO of Planned Parenthood Indiana and Kentucky Betty Cockrum to discuss the organization's plans to fight against Pence and Trump."There are people who are out to get Planned Parenthood, there are people out there to get women's rights, there are people out there to repeal Roe v. Wade," Laguens told VICE News, "We're not standing for any of it."
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Pence's stance on reproductive rights also extend beyond abortion; Cockrum explained how a mostly male dominated legislature backed by Pence created a statute that women who've had miscarriages or abortions would be required to obtain a burial permit and choose between cremating or burying their fetuses.Since Donald Trump and Mike Pence were elected, Planned Parenthood has received nearly 200 thousand donations, with nearly 50 thousand of those donated in Mike Pence's name. But even with the influx of funds, Planned Parenthood stands to face many challenges from a Republican government. In an interview with 60 Minutes, Trump reaffirmed his plans to appoint an anti-abortion Justice to the Supreme Court.Currently, Planned Parenthood has launched a pledge to engage its supporters and show lawmakers the majority of Americans are opposed to defunding the organization and plan to keep it safe. The pledge, which can be signed online, states: "We are the real majority, and we will show up and shut down any attempts to take away our rights, harm us and our loved ones, and jeopardize our future."The VICE News Tonight segment "Planning for the Worst" hosted by Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani is currently available on HBO. VICE News Tonight airs on HBO weeknights at 7:30 PM.Read more: The Satanic Temple's Fight to Protect Your Abortion Rights