joining me now for an exclusive interview is planned parenthood federation of america cecile richardsong script in there telling us the story of what happened yesterday. i want to get to you, we were all drowning in florida primary coverage. >> yes. >> and yesterday, from what out of the blue, the komen foundation suddenly says, we don't want to partner with you any more? >> well, they told us right before the holidays, that they were going to end all funding for planned parenthood centers that provide breast cancer screenings. it came as a total shock and a real disappointment. we've been very proud of our relationship with the komen foundation. >> the people in that foundation, karen handles, senior vp, they're big republican who is have been on the republican side of the world for a long time, and there seems to be a lot of political intrigue behind this? >> i hope not, that's what's so surprising, i think, and upsetting, is that we share a mission, to make sure every woman in this country has breast cancer screening and early detection. i think that the sad thing about this is, wh

joining me now is planned parenthood federation of america president cecile richards. d to call this your triumphant return to the place where you began talking about this on television last week. there's nothing triumphant about this. this is a horrible mess. how comfortable are you now with where planned parenthood stands with the komen foundation going forward not just on meeting the commitments that had already been pledged but going forward into the future years? >> i feel very good, lawrence, and you're right. this is a real long week, but we feel very good about the relationship with the komen foundation, very grateful they changed their minds working with planned parenthood. already at the local level komen foundation folks and planned parenthood doctors and clinicians are looking at ways to expand breast cancer screenings for women. it's a good day. >> it won't surprise you that mitt romney found something of interest in this controversy. here he is tonight on the minnesota radio show the scott henin show responding to komen's decision of last week and the reve

powerincooperation.com. >>> we are back with just a few more minutes to talk with planned parenthood's president, cecile richardse debate over women's health issues, 2011 was not a particularly great year. 92 laws in 24 states restricting access to abortion services, which is shattering the record in 2005, where there were 34 laws passed. our resident male on the panel, ari melber, had something to say before the break, so i'm going to go to him first. >> what i wanted to say, i think we had a very important discussion about some of the details here and the komen news is large. but i think the larger issue is that we're talking about a fundamental right that the supreme court has held individuals have. and that's in roe v. wade. it was restricted slightly in planned parenthood v. casey. and that's the right. you have a right to speak and other people may greatly disagree with what you say. and you have a right to exercise choice over your body and your medical care in ways that other people might strongly disagree, but the supreme court has said under our constitution, it is your body. so i think what we've seen

a letter sent back in september to cecile richards of planned parenthood saying he was investigating. were you aware of this investigation, and were you supportive of it at the time? >> well, as you might recall, there were some allegations that planned parenthood had actually commingled public money and private money, and planned parenthood, 97% of what they do is prevention and well-woman visit, breast cancer screenings, things like that's and they're allowed to use public money for are that. 3% of what planned parenthood does is abortions, and they can't use any public money for that. only their private money. so the chairman wanted to know whether planned parenthood was commingling their public and private money. he sent a letter to cecile richards, who's the head of planned parenthood, and she responded by producing many, many pages of documents showing that the audits are all correct. that planned parenthood does not commingle these monies. henry waxman, who's the senior democrat on the energy and commerce committee and i as the ranking member on the oversight subcommittee sent

he sent a letter to cecile richards who is the head of planned parenthood. she responded by producing many, many pages of documents showing that the audits are all correct, that planned harnt hood does not co-mingle these monies. henry waxman, the senior democrat and i sent a letter to my chairman basically saying that this investigation was unwarranted, it was uncalled for and asked him to cease and desist. since last september in the last six months, there's been no activity. in my opinion the investigation -- the chairman's requests were satisfied and the investigation is moot. >> is there any connection to that and what's happened recently with the komen foundation and planned parenthood? >> well, the excuse that the komen foundation apparently gave initially for taking back its funding for breast cancer screening for planned harnt hood was that there was a congressional investigation. i think they were referring to that letter that chairman stearns had sent. but my opinion is that was six months ago. i've seen no activity in my subcommittee. i don't thi

the president of planned parenthood, cecile richards, joined me. how comfortable are you now with where planned parenthood stands with the komen foundation going forward. not just on meeting the commitments that had been pledged but going forward into the future years? >> i feel very good, lawrence. you're right, this has been a long week, but we feel very good about the relationship with the komen foundation. obviously, very grateful that they've changed their minds about working with planned parenthood and already at the local level across the country, komen foundation folks and planned parenthood and docs and clinicians are working together to find ways to increase and expand breast cancer screenings for women. so it's a good day. >> the ever diplomatic cecile richards was followed by the daily beast reporter michelle goldberg and my first question to michelle was about karen handel. a former candidate for governor in georgia who pledged during that campaign to defund planned parenthood and used her position of vice president of public policy at

but its president cecil richards says they raised about $3 milli million. >> as you can imagine, jessica, they're not really pleased about this americans united for life. they issued a statement calling it unfortunate. they said that komen essentially caved in to these are their words, a media-savvy campaign. others are saying, look, komen is an independent organization. it's a free organization. it can decide how it wants its grant moment spent and that it did not have to give in here, jessica. they're quite upset on the other side of the aisle on this. >> i suspect we have not heard the last of this issue. thanks so much, lisa. >>> and now to presidential politics on this night before the nevada caucuses. mitt romney and two of his three opponents are going all out. romney has the wind at his back. the latest poll shows him 20 points ahead of newt gingrich. and romney's counting on heavy support from the state's mormon population. romney spent today trying to close the deal and focusing in on president obama. >> it's been a tough time. and i know the president didn't cause this downtur

but now komen is pulling its funding telling planned parenthood president cecile richards it's the resultge in policy. >> unfortunately, i think this was a political decision and there are groups that have an extreme agenda who have been bullying the komen foundation and trying to get them end their relationship with planned parenthood. >> reporter: planned parenthood-- which also provides abortion services-- is a long-time target for social conservatives like new jersey congressman chris smith. >> planned parenthood really is child abuse incorporated. >> reporter: florida republican cliff sterns recently launched an investigation into planned parenthood's use of taxpayer fund. the komen foundation-- which declined our request for an on-camera interview-- cited that investigation as one of its reasons for pulling the funds saying the foundation was adopting new and more stringent eligibility standards to safeguard donor dollars. it set off a wave of anger among women who support both organizations. and on capitol hill, democratic congresswoman jackie speier urged women to call the komen f

in a telephone call with reporters, planned parenthood's president, cecile richards, said she was grateful. >> we've seen over the last few days in the outpouring of support sends a real important message about women are willing to stand up for women and women's health. >> reporter: the komen foundation changed course after a torrent of women posted message on line that was 10 to one against the charity. today, democratic center patty murray of washington state congratulated komen with this caveat-- >> we will remain vigilant to make sure politics doesn't come between us and our health care. >> reporter: the komen foundation was recently ranked the nation's second most-trusted nonprofit, but this week it managed to outrage people on both sides of the nation's most divisive issue, abortion. >> i think we've seen this week a disgraceful display of planned parenthood using real thug tactics to bring pressure on them. >> reporter: you called planned parenthood thug-like. they say it's groups like yours that have been bullying the komen foundation. >> we have been working very diligently to get

planned president president cecile richards said the move will provide new access for millions of american women. >> women will be able to get birth control now for no expensive copay or deductible regardless of where they work. >> reporter: with this new policy the white house is hoping both sides can claim victory. women will have access to contraception without a copay and this will also address some of the important concerns, scott, that have been raised by religious institutions. >> pelley: norah, thank you very much. the contraception controversy was also taken up by the republicans running for president. they appeared today at one of the most important conservative gatherings, the conservative political action conference, in washington. after losing the last three contests, it appeared mitt romney had the most to prove and chip reid was there. >> reporter: mitt romney was on a mission today to convince conservatives at the annual cpac conference that he is one of them. >> i did some of the very things conservatism is designed for. i started new businesses and turned around broken on

particular going after planned parenthood and making the abortion issue the issue, whereas they say cecil richardsad said that they segregate their work and that breast health and completely apart from whatever controversy that exist about abortion services. so, do you think it's possible to separate the cancer and screening initiatives from the other initiatives in this campaign? >> i think it is, but i believe it's woman's right to chose and i'm in favor of abortion, and i think it should be up to the woman and government should not get involved. i have no idea why the susan g. komen foundation did what they did or reversed it, i'm glad in the end that they came to the right decision, they'll continue to fund broplanned parenthood a i'll continue to support both organizations. and i encourage others to do it. >> there's a football game going on in i understandianapolis thi, you and the mayor from boston has teamed up and there's an organization called mayors against illegal guns and i guess you have purchased this ad, this is your ad for the super bowl. >> giants, patriots, ely, brady, we to not

. >>> plus, planned parenthood's cecile richard joins us on the political and financial backlash fromancer foundation's decision to cut its support. all of that when "now" starts in a mere 180 seconds. an accident doesn't have to slow you down. with better car replacement, if your car is totaled, we give you the money for a car one model year newer. liberty mutual auto insurance. okay... is this where we're at now, we just eat whatever tastes good? like these sweet honey clusters... actually there's a half a day's worth of fiber in every ... why stop at cereal? bring on the pork chops and the hot fudge. fantastic. are you done sweetie? yea [ male announcer ] fiber beyond recognition. fiber one. hey, i love your cereal there-- it's got that sweet honey taste. but no way it's 80 calories, right? no way. lady, i just drive the truck. right, there's no way right, right? have a nice day. [ male announcer ] 80 delicious calories. fiber one.

politics we have 72% of americans saying they do not want their dollars to fund abortions and cecil richardsd it should not be involved in politics, when half a billion dollars ofincome comes from politicians you have the right to say that. for her to say the funds are not mixed. >> your argument is that funds are -- >> then she is breaking the law then. >> that is exactly right. >> that is where we are having an investigation to determine exactly how the money is being spent. >> alice, i would say that this idea that there was an investigation, yesterday on "andrea mitchell reports," it's one guy saying i have an issue with this organization and i'm going pull -- i'm going to make it -- and then sort of the komen foundation hiding behind something that could end up revealing nothing, this investigation. >> how wong is it to say that we do not want our money to support the taking of human life? >> it's a congressman that has problem with this and has polarized the issue to the point that it has damaged the organization. >> the komen foundation said they do not want their funds comi comingele

. >> cecil richards was to the previous hour from planned parenthood was on, and i wanted to play thisg was blown out of pro portion in my opinion, by bullying, but to me, what this statement does is reaffirm the administration's position on birth control. women deserve it and this is going to get rid of expensive copays and it will be good for women everywhere. >> so you believe this compromise will be acceptable to most members of the church if not the bishops themselves? >> i am not going to speak for the bishops, but the fact that it's acceptable to carol keanene who is head of the catholic health system, that is good. and nuns work in the hospitals and run the hospitals and i think they have a lot of credibility on this issue. >> and kathleen, among your other circles, family, friends, what do you think the view is among catholic men and catholic women, do we see a divide, a gender divide among catholics? >> i have to tell you, my mother, who is the mother of 11 children called me and said i'm so glad that you areç saying ts on this issue. so, here is a person who understood the

. >> speaking of planned parenthood cecil richards is joining us, what a day to have you on the show.>> thanks for having me. >> noticed that planned parenthood has come out with a statement of support. do you think the president has handled it well? >> yes, he reaffirmed the commitment that every woman should have access to birth control without a expenexpensiv co-pay, the congress is trying to strip women to access to birth control this the area, and i think it's an important statement. >> does it prize you that they just did not come out with this position from the beginning. there's talk about hawaii, the white house senior facial offi saying it not hawaii plan, why waste time saying they were not going to do one thing and then circle back and do the thing that everyone thought they should have done in the first place? >> i think they have been working on this since announcing the pause, it a -- it a very, this is entire thing has been blown out of pro portion in my opinion by a lot of bullying, but this statement reaffirmed the administration's position on birth control. which is

if i were the president, i'd call cecile richards, sister carol, bring them in, say i got a problem heree this out in a way that honors the rights you both care about and let's see what happens. >> i wanted to keep this going, but i can't. thank you for very thought until conversation. and we will continue this coverage throughout the day here. up next, if you can't beat them, join them. the political panel will be here to talk about the president's super pac super flip-flop. but first, the white house soup of the day. loaded potato because, hey, they're throwing everything in to the campaign pockets. the multibillion dollar fight, the nuclear arms race that everybody feared will happen is going to happen. the employee of the month isss... the new spark card from capital one. spark miles gives me the most rewards of any small business credit card. the spark card earns double miles... so we really had to up our game. with spark, the boss earns double miles on every purchase, every day. that's setting the bar pretty high. owning my own business has never been more rewarding. coming through

cecile richards spoke out against it today on alex wagner's show.eard the last of this. but it's interesting to see mike bloomberg and other people in both political parties coming to the defense of planned parenthood when they are under fire. >> andrea mitchell, thank you very much for joining us tonight.

cecile richards spoke out against it today on alex wagner's show.eard the last of this. but it's interesting to see mike bloomberg and other people in both political parties coming to the defense of planned

cecile richards spoke out against it today on alex wagner's show.ve heard the last of this. but it's interesting to see mike bloomberg and

planned parenthood president cecile richards spoke earlier today. >> we were very shocked and reallype that they will rethink this decision and that we can become partners again. >> richards was on with alex wagner in the earlier hour. ambassador nancy brinker is the founder and ceo of susan g. komen for the cure and joins me now. well, the storm has exploded and you've been in this for a long time. you started susan g. komen in 1982 after the death of your sister and in her name and you have raised more money than any other group for breast cancer research, which is why i have to tell you this is shocking for a lot of your supporters. let me tell you what i was confronted with at the gym this morning. a woman came over to me, i had not met her before, gray-haired woman, probably in her 60s, she was wearing a gray t-shirt, and she said, look at my t-shirt. it's inside out. i put it on by accident today. i'm not going to wear it anymore. i've torn the label out. it's a komen t-shirt. these are longtime supporters who have run with you, who have supported you financially and otherwise.

that was less than cecile richards' paycheck from planned parenthood.ould think at some point in the past -- it's been a year to the date since live action called planned parenthood clinics in 27 different states to ask whether or not they had mammography machines. you would think at that point they had a year planned parenthood would invest in obtaining licenses to operate and own mammography machines and give mammograms to avoid the issue. >> the president under his health care plan saying the catholic hospitals and other institutions have to provide insurance policies that cover contraception. drew a sharp response from house speaker boehner. >> this mandate violates our constitution. i think it violates the rights of these religious organizations and i would hope that the administration would back up and take another look at this. >> and, arianna, even some of the president's prominent catholic liberal supporters said he went too far here. >> actually what the house has said is that they have a year in which to work with catholic institutions to fin

planned parenthood president cecile richards says the group stands to lose several hundred thousand dollars exams.(reporter: what was the reason you were given?)they kept raising the fact that there was this political investigation in congress. there's a republican-led congressional investigation into planned parenthood's compliance with federal restrictions on funding abortions. the foundation declined our request for an interview. nancy brinker founded the group in 1982 after her sister diid of breast cancer. brinker served in the george w bush administration as us ambassador to hungary and as chief of protocol. in a statement, the foundation says it's implemented more stringent eligibility standards to safeguard donor dollars. adding, it wants, ...to be absolutely clear that our grant-making decisions are not about politics. but richards argues otherwwse.i think eally what this is a result of is this very ugly and aggressive campaign by right wing organizations to bully the komen foundation and keep them from working with planned parenthood. the komen foundation has been targeted by anti

. >> planned parenthood got the news in the form of a phone call to its president, cecile richards. >> they said that this was a decision that they had changed their policy and that we would just no longer be eligible for funds. but there was no conversation. end of story. >> susan g. komen for the cure had been giving planned parenthood grant for years. funding 170,000 clinical breast exams over the past five years. in a new web video, komen's founder explained the decision, saying it was the result of stringent new eligibility standards. >> regrettably this strategic shift will affect any number of long-standing partners. but we have always done what is right for our organization. >> but richards has a different theory. >> this decision, as unfortunate as it is, was a result of a political pressure campaign, kind of bullying effort against the komen foundation, trying to get them to break this relationship. >> the history of providing abortions has earned powerful opponents. >> it is the largest abortion provider in the united states, period. >> on capitol hill, florida republican c