Republicans in the Senate have introduced a bill that would fund the government through December 11 and would reappropriate Planned Parenthood funds.
According to The Washington Times, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set up a procedural vote for the measure on Thursday, after Congress hears an address from Pope Francis, who is visiting on his U.S. tour.
It is likely that Senate Democrats will block the GOP measure.
“I know Democrats have already blocked virtually every bill to defund the government this year, but I’m asking them to allow the Senate to fund the government now,” McConnell stated.
The measure would redirect $235 million from Planned Parenthood to be put towards other health clinics.
A hearing, scheduled to take place next week, will investigate the undercover Planned Parenthood videos which allegedly show Planned Parenthood officials callously discussing the extraction and sale of fetal tissue.
Democrats are accusing the GOP of forcing a second government shutdown in the space of three years.
“The prospect of the House majority’s dithering and internal squabbling pushing hard-working American families into another politically-driven, economically damaging government shutdown is scandalous, and illustrates why the public holds this institution in such low regard,” said Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
Publication date: September 23, 2015