WASHINGTON, D.C., September 24, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) - The Republican-controlled Senate voted this afternoon against a Continuing Resolution that would have defunded Planned Parenthood for one year. Eight Republicans and one presidential hopeful - Sen. Rand Paul - voted against the measure.
The Continuing Resolution would have funded the federal government through December 11 but redirected $235 million of taxpayer dollars away from the abortion provider to federally qualified health centers, instead.
The moratorium, suggested by Rep. Diane Black, would give Congress time to investigate allegations that Planned Parenthood illegally harvests and sells the organs of aborted babies.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, in light of Pope Francis' unifying speech in the Capitol this morning, everyone could agree that undercover video footage of Planned Parenthood was scandalous.
"Let us also agree that a scandal-plagued organization should be place on leave without pay, and to use the money to fund women's health," he said. "I'm calling on my colleagues across the aisle to join us in standing up against a shutdown."
But it was members of his own party who killed the measure.
Unlike other pro-life bills that have been defeated by a Democratic filibuster, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution of 2016 did not receive a majority of votes in the Republican-controlled Senate, failing by a final vote of 47-52. (See how your senator voted below.)
Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Susan Collins of Maine, Dean Heller of Nevada, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska voted against the bill.
Pro-life Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted yes while others who describe themselves as pro-life - Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Joe Donnelly of Indiana - voted no.
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Poster Comment:
Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Susan Collins of Maine, Dean Heller of Nevada, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska voted against the bill.
