Texas state Rep. Wayne Christian: This is a war on birth control

The Republican-led Texas legislature is engaged in a "war on birth control and abortions," according to Texas state Rep. Wayne Christian (R).

Conservative Texas lawmakers have cut tens of millions of dollars of family planning funding for health care providers like Planned Parenthood.

The state legislature also passed legislation requiring doctors to perform a sonogram at least 24 hours before an abortion.

The state's family planning clinics provide low-income women access to a variety of services, such as breast cancer exams, cholesterol screenings, diabetes tests, and care for thyroid disorders.

“Well of course this is a war on birth control and abortions and everything, that’s what family planning is supposed to be about,” Christian said.

None of the 71 family planning clinics in the state that receive government funding provide abortions, but they do refer women to abortion providers. Christian previously told The Texas Tribune that he believes family planning services, especially Planned Parenthood, pressure women into getting abortions.

“They’re sitting here, referring women out to receive abortions,” Christian said in an interview with NPR. “Those are the clinics, including Planned Parenthood, we were targeting.”