Senate to Vote on Defunding Planned Parenthood

The Senate is expected to vote on a new bill to defund Planned Parenthood this evening (August 3). Fox News reports the vote comes after a pro-life group leaked four videos that showed Planned Parenthood doctors and officials appearing to discuss the sale of aborted fetal organs. 

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told CNN that the bill to defund Planned Parenthood was a reflection of the many Americans who do not wish to support the abortion provider with their tax dollars. 

"I think most Americans don't want their tax dollars going to this. So I think when something is so morally repugnant to so many people, why should tax dollars go to this?” Paul said. 

The bill is not expected to pass through the Senate vote, as it requires 60 votes with only 54 Republican senators for support. 

If the bill did pass, the White House has confirmed that President Obama would veto the legislation, Life News reports.

Press secretary Josh Earnest said the bill “is certainly something that would draw a presidential veto.” 

He continued, “We have routinely opposed the inclusion of ideologically driven riders” in budget bills. 

Planned Parenthood insists that its actions have been legal and the company has not profited from the sale of aborted organs. The company admitted to donating fetal tissue to research, which is permitted under federal law. 

Publication date: August 3, 2015