WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said in an interview on Meet the Press that the law in Texas that has closed several abortion clinics is about 'compassion' and not having taxpayer money going to abortions. 13 clinics have been closed this week alone.

Commentators have pointed out that the Texas law does not allow taxpayer money to go toward abortions. "The fact of the matter is that we believe that any woman that's faced with an unplanned pregnancy deserves compassion, respect, counseling, whatever it is that we can offer," Priebus said. "But 80% of those clinics are gone!" Meet the Press Host Chuck Todd responded. "They have to drive 200, 300 miles for that compassion?" Priebus responded with his claim that taxpayers shouldn't be paying for abortions.


The new law requires very specific building standards for abortion clinics, in terms of size and format, which has forced many existing clinics to close. Reports do show that some women in Texas will have to drive as far as 300 miles for an abortion at this point.