The White House said Obama would veto the measure because it would “take away critical benefits and health care coverage from hard-working middle-class families”. The vote allows conservatives in the GOP to express their opposition and force a veto, putting the responsibility for any problems with the health law on Democrats.
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The Republican-controlled Senate passed the bill in a 52-47 vote.
“It would defund Planned Parenthood, denying millions of women high-quality preventive care, including birth control, cancer screenings, screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and abortion care”.
Notably, following the release of the horrific videos exposing Planned Parenthood this summer, NRB President & CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson sent a letter to the association’s members encouraging them to speak out for the federal de-funding of the abortion giant.
The legislation would repeal sections of Obamacare that mandate individuals to purchase health insurance and employers with more than 50 employees to provide it and would eliminate all fines for those that fail to comply.
Because the bill was passed using the reconciliation process, it could not be filibustered by Democrats and required just a simple majority to pass. Bernie Sanders was absent for the vote.GOP lawmakers suggested the bill could serve as a bridge to a new Republican health care law. McConnell said on the floor, according to the report.
This may come as a shock for those of you who closely follow Congress, but the Senate… wait for it… voted to repeal Obamacare.
Finally, Lindsey Graham supports stripping Planned Parenthood of federal funds but the senator from SC said, “If I were president, I would never submit a budget with one dime for Planned Parenthood”. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said of Republicans.
Democrats have been able to block past repeal attempts. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who has been relentless in his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, said the vote represented a significant step towards repealing every word of Obamacare.. It would also put an end to the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. Federal funds can be used for abortions only in rare cases.
Planned Parenthood spokesman Dawn Laguens said the Senate had given the group’s millions of clients “the cold shoulder of indifference”.
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Opponents of safe and legal abortion have created an increasingly hostile environment around women accessing the full range of reproductive health care. However, Republicans hailed its passage as a symbolic victory and fulfillment of their promise to hold President Obama accountable for his controversial 2010 health care law by forcing him to veto legislation that has broad public support.
