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PLANNED PARENTHOOD PA CONDEMNS CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PERRY FOR VIOLENT, ANTI ABORTION SOTU GUEST

For Immediate Release: Feb. 8, 2023 (Updated: Feb. 8, 2023, noon)


(Washington, DC) --- Planned Parenthood PA’s condemns Congressman Scott Perry’s invitation to Mark Houck to attend the State of the Union address as his guest tonight.

Mark Houck attacked a 72 year old Planned Parenthood volunteer escort outside of a clinic in 2021. While he was acquitted of the assault charges, Houck did not and has not denied shoving the escort twice during the altercation.

“Patients deserve safe access to abortion, and violent extremists like Mark Houck threaten Planned Parenthood’s ability to provide care,” said Planned Parenthood PA’s Executive Director Signe Espinoza. “Congressman Scott Perry is celebrating violence outside of our clinics by inviting Houck to be his State of the Union guest. Patients, including patients who rely on Planned Parenthood for sexual and reproductive health care, deserve better.”

Houck was charged with two counts of violating the Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which makes it a federal crime to use force, threats, or physical obstruction to block the entrance to reproductive health clinics.

“More than 8 in 10 Pennsylvanians want abortion to be legal, and that certainly means they do not believe a patient or their escort should be assaulted on the way to receive that care,” said Espinoza. “Thankfully, Pennsylvania has other representation in Washington that understands the importance of abortion care and reducing its stigma.”

Pro-sexual and reproductive champion Congresswoman Madeline Dean brought abortion storyteller Kelsey Leigh as her guest.

For more information on PPPA and access to abortion care in Pennsylvania, please visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Crampsie, 717 712 3480

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Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) exists to create a Pennsylvania where sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is accessible, affordable, and affirming for all. We achieve this, in partnership with the 3 Planned Parenthood affiliates in Pennsylvania, through electoral and advocacy campaigns, lobbying, and organizing.

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