Ezra Klein takes a shot at conservative efforts to "defund Planned Parenthood -- a policy that will almost surely result in more abortions ... This is how the pro-life movement also becomes, in effect, the pro-herpes movement and the anti-birth control movement." TEXT Indeed, the Pence amendment would have kept intact a proposed $27 million increase in Title X contraceptive funding, a 10 percent jump for a program that has already expanded 12 percent since President Bush took office in 2001. TEXT "There are great things happening at federally funded clinics nationwide. Over five million individuals have been served, 90 percent of whom come from low-income families. Additionally, it is estimated that over 900,000 unintended pregnancies were averted as a result of Title X family planning services," he said. "There is little doubt we will hear some Planned Parenthood apologists proclaim the obvious - that Title X funds may not be used for abortion. We will hear that this amendment would cut family planning efforts. The truth is that my amendment does not cut or reduce the budget for family planning in this appropriations bill. It simply prevents the appropriated funds from reaching an organization which profits from the abortion trade. "When Title X money goes to organizations that provide both abortions and family planning services, even though the money cannot directly fund abortions, it can be used to offset operational costs, freeing up money to promote and provide abortions." Keeping tax dollars out of the hands of abortion providers could be a key strategy for reducing the abortion rate nationwide.