Pence, Senate Republicans Just Voted To Help Defund Planned Parenthood
Lost in the chaos of Thursday’s news cycle was the story that Senate Republicans, with the help of Mike Pence, voted to do away with another Obama-era rule.
This time the Obama rule was meant to protect family planning and health organizations like Planned Parenthood from states like Texas who attempt to withhold federal funding if the organization performs abortions.
Republicans needed a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence to provide the 51st vote.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted with the Democrats against the bill which is why Republicans needed a tie-breaker from the Vice President.
The Obama regulation was designed to protect Planned Parenthood centers in states like Texas and Kansas where Republicans pass laws making it harder and harder to for the organization to operate.
Senator Chuck Schumer said “I would urge my Republican friends, particularly those in rural states where this could really hurt, please think about it.”
“We only need one more vote to stop this bill, which would allow states to dramatically reduce access for women to essential health care services.”
