- The Washington Times - Monday, August 19, 2024

CHICAGO – Attendees of the Democratic National Convention are getting a lot more than the typical political experience — they can even get an abortion or a vasectomy near the convention site.

Planned Parenthood Great Rivers from the St. Louis, Missouri, region announced that the group’s mobile health clinic is in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday of the DNC and setting up shop with the Chicago Abortion Fund and the Chicago street food company, The Wieners Circle, in the city’s West Loop.

“Here we come, Chicago!  Our mobile health clinic will be in the West Loop with @ChiAbortionFund & @TheWienerCircle Aug 19-20, providing FREE vasectomies & medication abortion,” the post said. “[Emergency contraception] will also be available for free without an appointment.” 

Another post from over the weekend said the slots for vasectomies and abortions were filled, and to check back to see if there have been cancellations.

House Republicans bashed the free services.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, called it “truly heartbreaking.”

“I thought this was fake but it’s not,” she wrote in an X post Saturday. “Planned Parenthood is going to provide free vasectomies and abortions at the Democratic National Convention this upcoming week. It’s hard to even comprehend and it’s truly heartbreaking. Being a mother is the most precious gift, choose life.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson called the initiative “callous.”

“Such a callous — and even gleeful — celebration of the taking of innocent human life is a shocking new low,” said Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican.

“This is not your parents’ Democratic Party,” he said.

In response, the Planned Parenthood chapter clapped back.

“The antis are big mad at us for providing free health care with @ChiAbortionFund & @TheWienerCircle. Want to support our patients? Make a gift here,” the group wrote with a link to their donation website.

Abortion has been a big talking point for Democrats this election, sparked by the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Democratic officials have warned in the presidential election and congressional elections that a vote for a Republican could result in a national abortion ban.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, more than 20 states have either fully banned abortions or put restrictions on access to the medical procedure.

Now, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the helm of the party, women’s rights rhetoric has taken even more of a shining spot in the party’s talking points.

Ms. Harris, in the past, has pledged to restore Roe v. Wade.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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