Planned Parenthood backs Hillary Clinton in first-ever primary endorsement

Planned Parenthood has endorsed Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton — the group’s first-ever primary endorsement.

Planned Parenthood announced the news Thursday, tweeting: Planned Parenthood announced the news Thursday, tweeting: We’re excited to announced we’re endorsing @HillaryClinton! She’ll lead on #reprorights. #PPact4Hillary#ImWithHer”

Mrs. Clinton, who counts herself as a ’lifelong Planned Parenthood supporter,” said she is “honored” by the endorsement.

“There has never been a more important election when it comes to women’s health and reproductive rights — and Planned Parenthood’s patients, providers, and advocates across the country are a crucial line of defense against the dangerous agenda being advanced by every Republican candidate for president,” she said in a statement.

This week Congress approved a bill that punished the country’s biggest abortion provider, and repeals some of the key parts of Obamacare. President Obama has said he’ll veto the legislation, and there’s little chance of Republicans overriding him, but the showdown is still expected to rally conservatives and set the tone for the election year.

“This week was a jarring reminder of what’s at stake in 2016,” Mrs. Clinton said. “For the first time ever, the United States House and Senate passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Thankfully, President Obama will exercise his veto power to stop the Republicans from cutting off women, men, and young people from vital health care services at Planned Parenthood — including cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and STI and HIV tests — and taking away health coverage from 18 million people. Any of the Republican candidates will proudly sign that bill into law if they win. We can’t let that happen.”

In its first political endorsement, Planned Parenthood said Mrs. Clinton was “the most outspoken and frequent supporter of Planned Parenthood — and the only candidate to speak up for Planned Parenthood at the debates.”

The abortion provider has come under fire after undercover videos showed leaders within the organization haggling over the price for aborted baby parts. In October, Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the group will no longer accept any payment for the parts.

Most of the Republican presidential candidates — including businesswoman Carly Fiorina, who famously called out the abortion provider for its unethical activities during a debate in September — have pushed for defunding the group.