‘Defund Planned Parenthood’ fails in the U.S. Senate, despite majority, Sessions, Shelby support

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August 3, 2015

Activists outside the Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives in Huntsville, Ala. (Photo: YouTube screenshot) — Activists outside the Alabama Women’s Center for Reproductive Alternatives in Huntsville, Ala. (Photo: YouTube screenshot)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Monday failed to get the 60 votes necessary to overcome a procedural hurdle to block all federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

The effort, dubbed “Defund Planned Parenthood,” received 53 votes, seven short of the 60 needed to end a Democratic filibuster and begin debate on the bill.

The abortion provider has come under intense scrutiny after a pro-life group began releasing covertly-recorded videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted babies’ body parts.

Both Alabama Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions voted in favor of the measure.

“The recent videos depicting Planned Parenthood’s practices are extremely disturbing and underscore why taxpayer dollars should not support this organization,” Shelby said in a press release following the vote. “I believe that human life is a gift, which is why I am adamantly pro-life and have consistently opposed taxpayer dollars being used to fund abortions.”

Planned Parenthood currently receives more than $500 million annually in federal funding, mostly through Medicaid reimbursements.

It is through the mechanism of Medicaid—whose funding is controlled through the states—that some red state governors have begun their own efforts to defund abortion providers.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who is also a 2016 presidential hopeful, announced Monday his state was terminating their contract with Planned Parenthood’s clinics.

“In recent weeks, it has been shocking to see reports of the alleged activities taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities across the country,” Gov. Jindal said in a press release announcing the contract cancellation. “Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the people of Louisiana and shows a fundamental disrespect for human life. It has become clear that this is not an organization that is worthy of receiving public assistance from the state.”

Seven other states besides Louisiana ban all state family planning money from going to clinics which provide abortions, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Yellowhammer reached out to Governor Bentley’s office on whether he would consider a similar measure, but had not heard back by press time.

Conservatives say the next battle to defund Planned Parenthood will come in the fall when Congress must pass appropriations bills funding the federal government. Those bills are not necessarily subject to the same 60-vote barrier Republicans have as-yet seemed unable to overcome.