For the second time this year, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to stop sending taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood. The U.S. Senate, however, was quick to run in the opposite direction, with 58 senators voting in favor of funding the nation's largest abortion business.
The House voted 241-185 on the measure, and 240-185 to defund the widely unpopular health care law. The Senate voted 47-53 on the health care funding bill.
On a measure that would fund the government through September, representatives voted 260-167, and the Senate voted 81-19.
Kellie Fiedorek, staff counsel at Americans United for Life, said the flurry of votes in both chambers was significant.
"This is truly a historic time because this is the first time the Senate is being forced to go on record with where they stand on whether federal funds should be going to Planned Parenthood," she said.
Fiedorek said the debate over abortion funding will continue as Congress begins negotiating spending for 2012.
Pro-life groups had hoped this year's short-term spending bill would include cutting off Planned Parenthood.
"Is it perfect? No," said House Speaker John Boehner, who negotiated the deal with Senate Democrats and President Obama. "I'd be the first to admit it's flawed. But welcome to divided government."
Contact: Jennifer Mesko
Source: CitizenLink
