41 Senate Dems oppose GOP Planned Parenthood cuts
The Hill – A group of 41 Senate Democrats say they oppose a House-passed measure that cuts federal funding for family planning programs, including Planned Parenthood.
The proposal passed as an amendment to the House GOP’s government funding plan and is a key element of the spending debate on Capitol Hill. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the group called the cuts “extreme.”
“We write to you today to affirm our strong support for making women’s health and family planning services affordable and available, and ask that you stand with us against extreme proposals by some members of the House to eliminate support for women’s health and family planning programs and providers that serve millions of women and families,” reads the letter, which was organized by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). “We also oppose the provision in the House-passed continuing resolution that cuts Planned Parenthood health centers off from federal funds.”
The Republican proposal is one of several policy “riders” to the spending plan passed by the House that remains a major sticking point in negotiations between both parties.
