The House of Representatives voted 240-185 on Feb. 18 to approve an amendment that would strip all federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
The vote was largely along party lines, with the majority of Republicans voting in favor, and the majority of Democrats voting in opposition. Ten Democrats voted for the amendment, while 7 Republicans voted against it.
The amendment will be attached to a larger bill that would fund federal government operations for the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. The legislation – called a continuing resolution – that currently funds the government expires March 4. This new CR has to pass the full House, and is expected to do so by Feb. 21. It then must be passed by the Senate.
Planned Parenthood currently is barred from using federal funds to perform abortions, but it receives taxpayer dollars for family planning, contraception, and medical services. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) sponsored the amendment to bar any federal funds from going to the organization.
In a statement, Rep. Pence said, "This afternoon’s vote is a victory for taxpayers and a victory for life. By banning federal funding to Planned Parenthood, Congress has taken a stand for millions of Americans who believe their tax dollars should not be used to subsidize the largest abortion provider in America."
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards issued a response, stating, "In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an outrageous assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, family planning visits, birth control, HIV testing, and more."
The vote also was condemned by Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "The new anti-choice House leadership promised a jobs agenda and is now waging a war on contraception," she said, in a statement."As the debate goes to the Senate, our members will tell senators that they must put a stop to this extreme anti-choice agenda."