US legislators in Wisconsin have moved to end funding for facilities offering abortions in that state.

According to Lifesite News, a vote in the Republican-controlled State Assembly on ‘Bill 310’ on the issue of defunding abortion clinics – prompted by the ongoing body parts scandal surrounding the Planned Parenthood organisation – was passed by 60 to 35, progressing the bill to further debate and a final vote at the State Senate.

Under the terms of Bill 310, a clinic or facility describing itself as a healthcare provider can only receive state funds in Wisconsin if “does not provide abortion services, make referrals for abortion services, or have an affiliate that provides abortion services or makes referrals for abortion services”.

Responding to the bill’s successful passage through the Assembly, Matt Sande of Pro-Life Wisconsin referred directly to Planned Parenthood’s in welcoming its aims.

“Despite [Planned Parenthood’s] protestations, it is an open question whether they engage in the grisly trade of aborted foetal body parts,” he said. “They cannot be trusted and are not entitled to the people of Wisconsin’s money.”

The state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin also hailed the vote and expressed his personal hope that money would be diverted into other women’s health care facilities.