WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Udall voted against an effort to cut off life-saving health care services for women in New Mexico by de-funding Planned Parenthood Aug. 3. He issued the following statement:

“Planned Parenthood provides critical health care and preventive services, such as cancer screenings and tests, for women and men, many of whom do not have access to services elsewhere. I’m not going to allow this life-saving care to be cut off for thousands in New Mexico.

“Exploiting women’s health care for political gain does the Senate a disservice and wastes the people’s time. New Mexicans - and all Americans - can’t afford more threats of stalemates and shutdowns. It’s time to stop playing games and get back to work on legislation to keep the government running and help families get ahead.”