The GOP attempt to defund Planned Parenthood failed in the Senate tonight by a vote of 58-42. The defunding of “Obamacare” met a similar fate, failing a vote in the Senate, 47-53. The votes were part of an agreement reached just one and a half hours before midnight last Friday, between House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama. Republicans, knowing the President would not sign any legislation to defund either Democratic icons, took the vote to get members on record.
“The administration strongly opposes any attempts to include language in the underlying bill that would deny funding for critical women’s health services or prohibit funding to implement the Affordable Care Act that is making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans,†the White House said in a statement earlier this week.
Five Republican Senators voted not to defund Planned Parenthood. Scott Brown (MA), Susan Collins (ME), Mark Kirk (IL), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Olympia Snowe (ME).
Over in the House in a companion bill to defund Planned Parenthood, seven Republicans voted to continue funding, and ten Democrats voted to eliminate it.
The House and Senate passed the 2011 $1.049 trillion spending bill which will prevent a government shutdown. The President is expected to sign it.