WASHINGTON, D.C., July 28, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — Political drama continues to unfold on Capitol Hill as a third video exposing Planned Parenthood's fetal parts business was released Tuesday morning.
In the Senate, Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell — the Senate Majority Leader — and presidential candidate Rand Paul were at odds over the weekend on defunding Planned Parenthood. Paul attempted to include an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood in the Senate's transportation bill. This would require 50 votes and put defunding into “must-pass” legislation.
However, McConnell blocked the effort, instead putting forth a separate bill that is being fast-tracked around the normal legislative process. While this may get a defunding bill in front of the full Senate more quickly, McConnell's bill is a stand-alone effort expected to be opposed by most or all Democrats — and with only 54 Republican senators, at least six Democrats would have to vote with the GOP to pass the 60-vote margin.
Paul’s campaign announced that they have secured a “commitment from Senate leadership for a vote on his legislation to defund Planned Parenthood prior to the August recess.”
Similar drama may be gearing up in the House, though with the roles reversed.
Last week, House Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, encouraged his Members to wait for “facts first” before attempting to defund Planned Parenthood. “I think they’re awful,” The Hill reports that Boehner said about the videos. “That’s why the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Judiciary Committee are doing an investigation. I expect that we will have hearings. The more we learn, the more it will educate our decisions in the future.”
However, on Monday, Boehner's top subordinate encouraged a “moratorium” on the abortion giant's funding while Congress investigates, reports The Hill.
“I just think, regardless of where anybody sits on the issue, is this the best place that tax dollars should be spent?” McCarthy asked. “Shouldn’t, at the very least, we withhold tax dollars until the investigation is done?”
Two bills to mostly defund Planned Parenthood during an investigation were introduced last week, one in each chamber of Congress. Many pro-life leaders are urging Congress to act quickly while public pressure and awareness are high, though a recent YouGov poll showed majority support for Planned Parenthood.
Any bill that defunds Planned Parenthood is expected to be vetoed by President Obama, who has repeatedly defended the organization. Additionally, the convoluted nature of Planned Parenthood's federal and state funding sources may make complete defunding difficult.
Most Democrats have backed Planned Parenthood, including President Obama, leading presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, R-CA. Boehner's comments indicate that he is wanting to build a case against Planned Parenthood that Democrats will support. So far, only West Virginia senator Joe Manchin has backed an investigation into the abortion company.