Mike Pence broke a tie in the Senate to pass a bill that would allow states to withhold federal funding to Planned Parenthood.
Vice President Pence cast a tie-breaking Senate vote Thursday to pass legislation that will allow states to withhold federal funds from Planned Parenthood and other health care providers that perform abortions.
The measure, which now goes to President Trump for his signature, dismisses an Obama-era rule banning states from denying federal funds to such organizations.
Pence’s vote was needed to break a 50-50 tie. Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke with their party, voting against the measure.
Republicans have said the Obama rule should be overturned to allow states the right to steer funds away from abortion providers, if they choose.
The Democrats responded to this by claiming that this was a war on women. Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer said
“It would let states treat women as second-class citizens who don’t deserve the same access to health care as men,”.
This is certainly one way to limit the danger done by the Ombinus spending bill. By allowing states to direct federal funds they receive for Planned Parenthood elsewhere red states can actually defund Planned Parenthood.
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