Senate Blocks GOP Effort to Defund Planned Parenthood

Senate Republicans failed to pass a measure tonight to defund Planned Parenthood amid outrage over a series of controversial videos.

Videos released by the Center for Medical Progress show Planned Parenthood officials talking about harvesting and selling fetal tissue. Republicans have called for hearings and investigations, and today they acted with the intent of defunding.

They required 60 votes for the procedural vote to go ahead with debate on the bill. They only received 53.

Some Republicans, including presidential candidates, have already said they’re willing to go as far as a government shutdown to defund Planned Parenthood.

After the vote today, Planned Parenthood head Cecile Richards posted these tweets:

THANK YOU to all the patients who told their stories, the supporters who #StandwithPP, and the Senators who voted with women!

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) August 3, 2015

THANK YOU to all the patients who told their stories, the supporters who #StandwithPP, and the Senators who voted with women!

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) August 3, 2015

We won the battle, but the war isn't over: Anti-abortion politicians vowed to do everything in their power to cut patients off from care.

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) August 3, 2015

Including forcing a government shutdown this fall. We need you to continue to #StandwithPP

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) August 3, 2015

[image via Tupungato/Shutterstock]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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