Planned Parenthood and WisconsinEye, a nonprofit organization that airs footage of the state Legislature, have been embroiled in a debate recently over Planned Parenthood advertisements attacking a state senator for his role in a floor debate that led to new restrictions on abortions.
The advertisements, which urge Planned Parenthood supporters to “stand up” to state Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, who is repeatedly seen in the footage pounding his gavel and telling state senators to “sit down,” go against a WisconsinEye rule that prevents its footage from being used in political advertisements.
Jon Henkes, the president and CEO of WisconsinEye, said in a statement it is also a “clear misrepresentation” of what happened that day.
“If presented as it actually occurred, the ad would show senators aligned with Planned Parenthood acting out of order, shouting and interrupting two roll-call votes,” Henkes said in the statement. “You didn’t see that. What Planned Parenthood chose to show you was five seconds of a 39-minute Senate session, which followed a day-long debate … No one was shut down. All voices were heard.”
Henkes also said Planned Parenthood’s claim that the advertisement was “educational” and not political, was incorrect.
“Educators do not alter what is to create what wasn’t,” Henkes said in the statement.
Planned Parenthood and state Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, both have released statements challenging the allegations.
Planned Parenthood maintains it is not at fault.
“The only bad behavior here is by senator Mike Ellis and his Republican colleagues who cut access to cervical and breast cancer screenings, birth control and STD testing, and treatment for women at Planned Parenthood,” Planned Parenthood said in its statement. “Senator Ellis and his Republican colleagues are the ones who have been obsessed with making women’s decisions about their pregnancy for them.”
Larson disagreed with Henkes, saying the debate followed the interruption format Planned Parenthood had alleged and the subsequent statement was “erroneous” and “biased.” He also compared the call to the recent controversial referee call that resulted in a Wisconsin football loss last Saturday.
“Like those referees, you have made an error that undermines the public confidence in your ability to be impartial and fair,” Larson said in the statement. “Unlike those referees, you have the opportunity to rescind your erroneous, biased, judgmental statements and work to restore integrity to WisconsinEye’s reputation.”
Ellis’ office said the senator has not commented on the issue because he is not involved in it.
